Vajpayee: Keep Your Promise

Interview to Lally Weymouth of Newsweek and The Washington Post

Sunday, June 23, 2002; Page B01

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage told you [on June 7] that Pakistan's President Musharraf had made certain promises [to stop the flow of militants from Pakistan-controlled Kashmir into India's portion]. Do you believe those promises? Has Pakistan made a fundamental change?

There has been no change in Pakistan's policy so far as cross-border infiltration is concerned. Every day we are getting reports that infiltration continues unabated.

Did Musharraf promise to get rid of the training camps in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and also in Pakistan?

Yes, in both areas. That was the promise. There are 50 to 70 terrorist training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and in Pakistan.

Do you think Musharraf is trustworthy?

[He laughs.] We are prepared to deal with him as he is, but we are cautious this time. Our past experience is not very encouraging.

Do you think Pakistan and India have turned the corner, or is this just a pause between crises?

If Pakistan implements the assurances given to us, a new beginning can be made.

If Musharraf fulfills his promises to end terrorism from Pakistani soil, what moves would India make in response?

We will start a dialogue. India will be ready to have talks with Pakistan on all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir [India's name for the disputed state].

And would you meet with Musharraf?

If his promises are implemented.

When will you pull some of your troops back from the Line of Control?

It will take some time. Let us see what happens on the ground.

So there will be no immediate pullback?

It depends on Pakistan. We will wait and watch.

How close were Pakistan and India to war?

It was a touch-and-go affair.

It was that close?

I did not rule out the possibility of war. Until the last minute, we were hoping that wiser counsels would prevail and there would be no confrontation.

Did the Pakistanis promise to do everything you wanted?

Not everything. They did not promise to behave as a friendly neighbor. We sought that promise.

How do you view the upcoming elections in the fall in Kashmir? Do you think they will be free and fair? How do you feel about having outside observers?

The elections will be held under the supervision of the central election commission. And we have made a commitment that the elections will be free and fair.

Isn't it hard to have free and fair elections when Pakistan-backed terrorists recently killed moderate Kashmiri leader Abdul Ghani Lone?

Pakistan is not interested in having elections. It is Pakistan's responsibility to stop terrorists from disturbing the elections. We have an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. Voters should be given a choice whether they want the same government to continue or whether they want a change.

Some say that India has rigged the past elections. Does India also have a responsibility to ensure free and fair elections?

This time elections will be free and fair. International opinion is strongly in favor of such an election. Journalists are allowed to go to Kashmir.

It is said that you have a plan for Kashmir. What is it?

I will disclose the plan at the right moment. It's not only political but includes economic development.

Is autonomy the long-term solution for Kashmir?

We are for the devolution of power. We have asked our friend Farooq Abdullah [chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir] what stands in his way of developing the state and ensuring the welfare of the people. If there are any constitutional limitations, tell us and we will remove them. So far, he has not come forward with any concrete proposals.

Did September 11 change things in this region? Do you think there is more understanding of India's problems and a stronger India-U.S. relationship?

After the 11th, there was international recognition that the problem of terrorism was not confined to Afghanistan. India has been fighting terrorism for two decades. There was a recognition that terrorism is a worldwide menace and must be tackled.

Did the Chinese play a more balanced role in trying to calm down the recent crisis? After all, they have always been a friend of Pakistan.

The Chinese did not play an important role but advised both countries to settle all issues in a peaceful manner. There has been no basic change in China's policy. China continues to help Pakistan acquire weapons and equipment.

Did the U.S. make a mistake in making Pakistan a partner in the war against terror?

No, it was the right policy. Pakistan should be pressured to fight terror not only in Afghanistan but inside Pakistan itself. Terrorism is terrorism whether in the East or in the West.

But the U.S. has not succeeded in capturing the leadership of al Qaeda. Where are they?

They may be in Pakistan.

Do you think Osama bin Laden is alive?

Yes.

Do the Pakistanis know where he is?

Of course.

So they know where he and his key lieutenants are?

Not every movement, but broadly speaking, they know where al Qaeda and [the] Taliban are.

Are elements of al Qaeda operating in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir?

The terrorist organizations operating in Kashmir are closely linked to al Qaeda and other jihadi organizations directly supported by Pakistan.

Would it help to meet with President Musharraf?

There has to be a basis for talks. I went to Lahore [in 1999, to meet Musharraf] and after that, there was aggression in Kargil. [Last summer], I invited Musharraf to a summit in Agra. It was a failure because Musharraf refused to recognize that there was terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. On the contrary, he insisted it was a freedom fight.

If Musharraf gives up cross-border terrorism and dismantles the camps, then could relations between the two countries gradually improve?

Yes.

Would you like that to happen while you are prime minister?

I would like to do it tomorrow.

Is Musharraf strong enough to tackle the extremists?

He is strong enough. Infiltration cannot take place without the cooperation of the [Pakistani] army because the army is stationed on the border. And there cannot be any training camps without the permission of the government of Pakistan. Without the government's connivance, these terrorism activities cannot be carried on for long.

So is Musharraf like [Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat, who says, "I would like to do this but I am not strong enough"?

Musharraf doesn't say that [and] we don't buy that argument. There have been military dictators in Pakistan before. Every time, the West defends them by saying that the alternative will be even worse -- so don't disturb things in Pakistan.

What should the U.S. role be?

That of a facilitator.

India used to say it didn't want a third party to the Kashmir dispute, that it should be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan. Hasn't the U.S. emerged as a third party?

No. That's why I said a facilitator, not a mediator.