ID :
36651
Sat, 12/20/2008 - 08:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/36651
The shortlink copeid
Pak must help find those behind Mumbai attacks: EU
New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) Maintaining pressure on Pakistan, the European Union Friday asked it to help track down the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror strikes and ensure that "uncontrolled elements" do not use its soil to launch attacks on India.
French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont, whose country holds
the presidency of 27-nation European Union, said Islamabad
should fulfill its "obligation" of tackling terrorism in an
"efficient manner" as it is in Pakistan's own interest.
He said the 27-nation powerful bloc will assess the
situation "constantly" as Pakistan has to answer the
"questions" which were raised after the Mumbai attacks.
"We ask very strongly Pakistan to help find and prosecute
those responsible for the horrible attacks (in Mumbai) and
take necessary steps to ensure such things do not happen in
future," Bonnafont said.
"We simply ask Pakistan to fulfill the obligations of any
state which is to make sure that its territory is not used by
uncontrolled elements for terrorists purposes," he said.
Asked whether the EU will consider imposing sanction or
initiate strict action against Pakistan if it failed to act
tough against terrorists, Bonnafont did not give a direct
reply, but said the grouping was holding day-to-day
consultations with New Delhi.
"We are consulting very closely with the Indian
government on a day-to-day basis...We will asses the situation
constantly," he said.
The French envoy said the EU has offered to strengthen
anti-terrorism cooperation with India and joined the
"diplomatic efforts to make sure that what has to be done is
done".
Bonnafont said EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de
Kerchove will visit India early next year to talk with Indian
security authorities about enhanced operational cooperation in
the field of counter terrorism.
Czech Republic Ambassador Hynek Kmonicek, whose country
will assume the the EU presidency, said Pakistan has taken
some steps and more have to be taken.
He said a EU-Pakistan summit will be held in Islamabad
most probably in February next year where the issue of
tackling terrorism will figure prominently.
"Just the fact that there is going to be the first EU-
Pakistan direct summit indicates the importance which we all
bring to the subject," he said, adding "It's a game we cannot
lose and we will not lose."
The French Ambassador said "President Zardari himself
says Pakistan is the number one victim of terrorism and
therefore it is in the interest of Pakistan itself to make
sure that it tackles terrorism in an efficient manner."
Bonnafont said EU was "completely committed" to helping
India in preventing repetition of any such attacks and will
enhance cooperation in information sharing and other security
issues.
"The EU has already asked Pakistan to fulfill all its
obligations in the fight against terror and in answering
questions which are raised after the Mumbai attack," he said.
PTI MPB
French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont, whose country holds
the presidency of 27-nation European Union, said Islamabad
should fulfill its "obligation" of tackling terrorism in an
"efficient manner" as it is in Pakistan's own interest.
He said the 27-nation powerful bloc will assess the
situation "constantly" as Pakistan has to answer the
"questions" which were raised after the Mumbai attacks.
"We ask very strongly Pakistan to help find and prosecute
those responsible for the horrible attacks (in Mumbai) and
take necessary steps to ensure such things do not happen in
future," Bonnafont said.
"We simply ask Pakistan to fulfill the obligations of any
state which is to make sure that its territory is not used by
uncontrolled elements for terrorists purposes," he said.
Asked whether the EU will consider imposing sanction or
initiate strict action against Pakistan if it failed to act
tough against terrorists, Bonnafont did not give a direct
reply, but said the grouping was holding day-to-day
consultations with New Delhi.
"We are consulting very closely with the Indian
government on a day-to-day basis...We will asses the situation
constantly," he said.
The French envoy said the EU has offered to strengthen
anti-terrorism cooperation with India and joined the
"diplomatic efforts to make sure that what has to be done is
done".
Bonnafont said EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de
Kerchove will visit India early next year to talk with Indian
security authorities about enhanced operational cooperation in
the field of counter terrorism.
Czech Republic Ambassador Hynek Kmonicek, whose country
will assume the the EU presidency, said Pakistan has taken
some steps and more have to be taken.
He said a EU-Pakistan summit will be held in Islamabad
most probably in February next year where the issue of
tackling terrorism will figure prominently.
"Just the fact that there is going to be the first EU-
Pakistan direct summit indicates the importance which we all
bring to the subject," he said, adding "It's a game we cannot
lose and we will not lose."
The French Ambassador said "President Zardari himself
says Pakistan is the number one victim of terrorism and
therefore it is in the interest of Pakistan itself to make
sure that it tackles terrorism in an efficient manner."
Bonnafont said EU was "completely committed" to helping
India in preventing repetition of any such attacks and will
enhance cooperation in information sharing and other security
issues.
"The EU has already asked Pakistan to fulfill all its
obligations in the fight against terror and in answering
questions which are raised after the Mumbai attack," he said.
PTI MPB
