Farooq lashes out at Gujral

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday accused the United Front government of 'not doing enough' to curb terrorism in the state.

The CM, who completed one year in office on October 9, said the Centre should emphasise more on curbing global terrorism and less about its seat in the UN Security Council.

''It must work 24 hours against terrorism, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir," he said, "It should tell the world how humanity is suffering here.''

He said if the Gujral doctrine of holding talks with Pakistan meant anything, it was time to come out with a good response.

''We want to see that response,'' Dr Abdullah said.

The people of India, particularly those in JK, the CM went on, wanted friendship with Pakistan. The same was true of their Pakistani counterparts. But the Pakistan army and the Inter Service Intelligence were sabotaging harmony as they feared they would lose authority in the national politics.

''The recent firing along the Line of Control and in Kargil are examples. The Pakistan army knew fully well they were not targeting army establishments, but civilians,'' he said.

Calling upon the 'big powers', particularly the United States, he said if the Americans 'meant business' they would declare Pakistan a terrorism sponsoring state.

Dr Abdullah said nobody could 'pressurise India' into reducing troops at the border. "The army and the paramilitary forces are needed there," he said.

The chief minister said the security forces had been doing a good job in Kashmir and had made it difficult for terrorists to infiltrate into the valley. That was why they had shifted their operations to the Jammu region.

Calling for the withdrawal of the UN's Military Observer Group from the state, he said they were 'shuttling between' India and Pakistan and doing nothing.

'We don't need them now," he said, "I don't know why they are still here."

Evading a direct reply to the question whether he stood by Prime Minister I K Gujral's description of Britain as a 'third rate power,' Dr Abdullah -- whose wife is British -- said Britain and India were good friends. He hoped they would continue to remain so.

About the All Party Hurriyat Conference, he said it was encouraging that there was a shift in their stand. "Earlier, they were not even ready for talks, but now they are saying they want negotiations," he said.

UNI