Dossier is credible, but give Pak some time: Mulford

New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) The US has contended that the
dossier given by India to Pakistan on the Mumbai attacks was
"credible" but suggested that New Delhi should allow time to
Islamabad to act on it.

US Ambassador to India David C Mulford said the dossier
contains extensive inputs from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI).

"From what I have seen it is a very credible material.
The FBI is cooperating in Mumbai...It is information which
tells and gives a very accurate account of what has happened,"
he told Karan Thapar's programme 'Devil's Advocate'.

Commenting on the Indo-US cooperation in this area, he
said the dossier prepared by India extensively used material
provided by the FBI. "As far as I see, it (FBI material) was
used extensively because the material was same."

Underlining the credible aspect of the dossier, he said,
"As far as the FBI is concerned, they do not deal with
non-credible material. It is a truly professional organisation
supported by absolutely high-tech techniques."

On the Mumbai attacks, Mulford said "there were handlers
who were in touch with these people on the ground. It is a
serious problem. This act of terrorism came from Pakistan".

When referred to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's view
that "official agencies" of Pakistan could have been involved
in the terror strikes, the Ambassador said "I think one needs
to be very very careful about making those kinds of
allegations unless you have very concrete evidence to that
degree of specificity."

The US Ambassador said his country cannot get into "that
kind of specificity unless there is some justification for
it."

Mulford said that there are a lot of things that tell
that "this is a very serious situation. You don't need to know
that degree of specificity that you need to compel to pursue
the matter."

Emphasising that Pakistan has a "serious problem on its
hand", he said "you don't need some kind of a definitive state
to know that you have a definite problem on hand."

When referred to Pakistan's virtual rejection of the
credibility of evidence within 24 hours after getting it, he
said, "Well, I don't think you can cut some quick reaction on
the statement of one particular individual. I think it takes
some time. You have, after all, a situation where there is a
civilian government, a very strong military, a very strong
intelligence agency and a media and other players.

"And I think you have to take a view that it is going to
take little time to percolate to see what really is the
outcome."

He went on to add that "Somebody in denial (mode) doesn't
necessarily remain in denial and isn't always on specific
point in denial even if they are projecting a sense of
denial."

Mulford said "It is complex and you would be mistaken to
seize on a statement that is particularly irritating to you or
proves a point of some kind to you that are standing back
waiting and seeing the effort it is achieving."

Mulford said "It is complex and you would be mistaken to
seize on a statement that is particularly irritating to you or
proves a point of some kind to you that are standing back
waiting and seeing the effort it is achieving."

He said the US view was that the Pakistani government has
"responded cooperatively with us".

Insisting that Pakistan is "very concerned" about the
situation, the Ambassador said "they (Pakistan) have made some
efforts early on to offer a delegation to come to India to
cooperate and exchange information which is not being accepted
and they have recently agreed to hand over information and
cooperate with the government here.

"The question is what is the level of cooperation going
to be. How forthcoming is it? Is it enough to satisfy people
here of their credibility of the party to cooperate with."

He said one should not "get lost with some of the detail
... because I think we all understand there has to be a level
of cooperation to move from here."

Asked how long India should wait for Pakistan to respond,
he said "it is not a question of time, although time is
important, because to get into a situation where so much time
passes, it makes them look uncooperative.

"But you do have to sort of gauge what is happening, what
their own situation is and what sort of problems they are
facing. And don't forget, the US is in regular touch with them
because of its own losses."

The US Ambassador said "if you have to make progress, you
have to make some element of cooperation and that means
looking at ways to accomplish some minimal levels.

On Pakistan's offer of sending a high-level delegation,
he noted that it was made with no detail as to who would be on
the delegation and it was never filled out with additional
information. "So, I don't think India made a mistake to not
take that up because it wasn't going anywhere."

Asked how much time should be given by New Delhi to
Islamabad to evaluate evidence, Mulford said it was for the
Indian government to decide.

When asked what would happen if there is another terror
strike, he said "That will be a very serious matter."

Queried whether that could lead to war, he said "I don't
know. But it will be a very serious matter." PTI SKU
SAK