LETTERS
Sunday, December 23, 2001
San Francisco Chronicle

India sees Pakistani link to terrorism

Editor -- The news story headlined, "U.S. wants Pakistan to curb militants after India attack" (Dec. 16), refers to the Pakistan government's policy of describing groups perpetrating terrorist activities in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir as "freedom fighters." Describing these terrorists as freedom fighters is degrading the spirit of freedom itself.

Those indulging in the massacre of innocent people, hijacking of civilian aircraft, kidnapping and hostage-taking of innocent civilians, forceful occupation of places of worship, forcing women to wear the burqa and attacking institutions of democracy have nothing to do with freedom. Their activities cannot be thought of as promoting freedom.

Many organizations that once were described as "freedom fighters" by Pakistan have been declared terrorists by the United States. Even while claiming to have joined the war against terrorism, Pakistan's government has done nothing to curb activities of Pakistani terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, which are behind the heinous attack on the Indian Parliament.

Pakistan, which has sponsored cross-border terrorism as a state policy for decades, has been indulging in blatant deception and falsehood to cover up its misdeeds. It has all along denied sponsoring and training terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and creating the Taliban, but the whole world knows about their umbilical links with these perpetrators of terrorism. Pakistan also kept denying its clandestine nuclear weapons program, only to be punished by U.S. sanctions for this activity.

No one aware of Pakistan's track record can believe what it says. Pakistan's asking for proof of its involvement in the attack on the Indian Parliament and offering to conduct a joint investigation is as ridiculous as the Taliban and al Qaeda demanding proof of their role in the Sept. 11 incidents. Their pleading not guilty does not make them innocent.

AKHILESH MISHRA

Consul, political and commerce
Consulate General of India
San Francisco