Pak must ensure Mumbai-like attacks don't reoccur: McCain

Washington, Jan 29 (PTI) Pakistan should take steps that
reduce the threat of a reoccurence of Mumbai-like terrorist
attacks, US Republican Presidential candidate for the 2008
election, John McCain, has said.

"This is what would satisfy the United States," McCain
told PTI at the conclusion of a Senate Committee hearing on
the Mumbai terrorist attack at the Capitol Hill here.

"To satisfy the US ... Well actions that clearly indicate
they have reduced the threat of their reoccurrence (of Mumbai
terrorist attacks)," McCain said, when asked what actions of
Pakistan would be satisfactory to the United States.

"I think that there are variety of reasons that argue for
the arrest of the people who are responsible (for the attack)
and the terrorist's organisations," he said.

Referring to the testimony by experts at Senate Committee
hearing on Mumbai attack, McCain said it should be a very high
priority to prevent heightening of tension between the two
South Asian neighbours.

"I agree with the witness that it is very high priority
to prevent heightening of tension between the two countries
and the United States should do everything we can to prevent
escalation of tensions," McCain said.

Earlier during the hearing McCain said the Mumbai terror
attack was "well orchestrated, well trained and well planned"
and had outdone security forces until commandos showed up.

"They were not necessarily suicide individuals, they were
able with just handful of people to hit 10 targets... I think
there are a whole lot of lessons... that may be we have not
paid much attention to," he said.

To a question by McCain on "the dangers that terrorist
organisations might obtain nuclear weapons," in Pakistan, a
senior advisor said is was a "real concern".

Brian Michael Jenkins, senior advisor, of the prestigious
RAND Corporation said: "I think, it is a real concern. We do
receive regular assurances from the Pakistani authorities that
they have the nuclear weapons under tight control."

However, he said: "One does worry when we look at the
nexus in Pakistan between organised crime figures like Dawood
Ibrahim and terrorists organisations and when we look at the
black markets, which were created for Pakistan's own nuclear
weapon program.

"... this is a kind of connection between organised crime
and government authorities and terrorists organisations that
does raise spectre of the possibility of large scale finance
and real concerns of they move into weapons of mass
destruction," he said.

McCain also asked Asley J Tellis, senior associate,
Carnegie Endowment of International Peace what were the
chances that terrorists responsible for Mumbai attack would be
brought to justice.

"The chances are remote," Tellis responded. "But we can't
keep it that way. We have essentially seen this game evolving
now close to 20 years and the cost of these terrorists staying
in business has progressively increased," he said.

Asked if he felt that the government of India might have
to take some action (against Pakistan) over time, Tellis
responded in the affirmative.

"It is a real danger (of Indian taking action against
Pakistan). The crisis is not over yet," Tellis said. PTI LKJ
PMR
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