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'The Indian economy may take a heavy blow'
15 September, 2001, New Delhi : Former foreign secretary, Salman Haider spoke about the implications of a US strike against Afghanistan in the aftermath of the terrorists attacks in New York and the Washington DC area.
Salman Haidar : Good afternoon friends, I am here to take
your questions. So shoot
Tarun : Hello Mr Haider what do you think will be the
result of the all party meeting called by the Prime Minister? Do you think we
syould open our air space to the US? Salman Haidar : The
all-party meeting has just concluded. External affairs minister Jaswant Singh
has told it that India does not want Islam to be linked to the global fight
against terrorism.He also said that the fight against terrorism should nto be
restricted to NATO countries but should included the democracies of the world
including Arab countries. There is all-party consensus regarding India's course
in the present situation.
Maneka : Hello Mr Haider, dont you think that by helping
the US we are inviting the wrath of the Taleban mujhaeddins on us? salman
haidar : The mujahedden are already active against us. We believe,
rightly in my view, that international action to curb them should be
strengthened.
Rati : Mr Haider Pakistan has allowed use of their
airspace to the US planes, what is India doing to show the US how Pakistan is
the backbone of terrorism? Salman Haidar : I have not seen
any official announcement about the use of Pakistani airspace by America or
anyone else, though it is expected that this facility will be made
available.Actually, cruise missiles are again fired across Pakistani space at
targets in Afghanistan, as happened some years ago, there is not much that
anyone can do about it. So far as India is concerned, our first aim, in the
present circumstances, will be to lend our fullest support to America which has
been the victim of this appalling attack. No doubt people continue to point out
that Pakistani policies and actions have aided and abetted terrorism in India
and elsewhere.
Yatish : How badly is the Indian economy going to get
affected now? Salman Haidar : The prime minister has warned
that the Indian economy may take a heavy blow . If all prices go up, it will
cost India dearly, and the recessionary trend already to be seen will be
strengthened.
Rajiv : Mr. Haider, what do you think would pakistan react
nwo Salman Haidar : Pakistan is in a difficult spot, because
it has links with Afghanistan which have been built upover the years and which
it presumably wishes to maintain. At the same time, it is being pressed for
support by America, which it can hardly deny, even though it could take it on a
collision course with Kabul. In these circumstances, Pakistan has reacted with
great deliberation. It has promised to cooperate with America, but without any
indication of a military component to this cooperation.
krupa : pakistan ko america ca satth dena
chahiye Salman Haidar : This is a decision for Pakistan.
They have decided, rightly in my view, to support American-led anti-terrorist
activity.
darkavenger : Mr.Haider is it not that america just got a
taste of its own pie.. Salman Haidar : Nothing like the
attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon has ever been seen. The
reaction is worldwide is one of sympathy rather than saying that America has got
a taste of what it has been doing. I therefore cannot agree with your
observation.
reetika : is there going to b a 3rd world
war? Salman Haidar : The short answer is no
Deepak : Now the taleban says that we will attack the
country who supports US in attacking afganistan, what do you think the india
will be doing? Salman Haidar : This threat by the Taleban
will not, and should not, deter India. I would expect that the Indian
authorities will continue to cooperate with America, as they have announced that
they will do.
rshivaprabhu : shivaprabhu- please tell me how long this
conflict goes and is it possible to completely stamp out terrorism in a short
term. Salman Haidar : Nobody expects that terrorism can be
totally eradicated. The hope is that strong international action will help to
contain terrorists.
rgopi : do you see a possiblity of a civil war in the
event of musharaf helping the USA Salman Haidar : Reports
suggest that some organisations and groups in Pakistan are opposed to any kind
of cooperation with America, and they could take to the streets if cooperation
develops, in order to register their protest. They might even have resort to
various source of violent protests. However, it is difficult to see this kind of
reaction escalating to the level of civil war that you mention.
sudheer : Do you think this is the time for us to destroy
Kashmir terrorsit bases in Pakistan? Salman Haidar : The
bases should be destroyed and the training camps closed down. This have been
done a long time ago. International pressure on Pakistan has increased and one
can expect that this can act as a restraint.
tiger999 : DO U THINK USA ITSELF IS TO BE BLAMED? FOR USA
FORMENTED & SUPPORTED AFGANS MILITANS AGAINST SOVIETS ? USA PUMPED IN LOT OF
WEAPONS & AFTER SOVIETS WERE OUT OF AFGANS - USA DID'NT DO ANYTHING FOR
AFGANISTAN ? Salman Haidar : American policy towards
Afghanistan has shown all the ambuguities that you have mentioned. Even the
Taleban once enjoyed a measure of US acceptance. However, nothing that America
has done in Afghanistan can begin to justify or condone the terrible the strikes
against New York and Washington.
prashantprabhu : Going by World Press & Media, It
appears that India is nowhere in Picture. US seems to be having no plans of
engaging India. Nor has it acknowledged India pledge to support. Isn't this a
sign of one way relationship? Salman Haidar : India is not
in the limelight because there is no particular reason to be there. Unlike
Pakistan, which has attracted a great deal of attention, India has no links with
Kabul. It is one of the many democracies in the world that have expressed their
solidarity with America, and we are informed that there is a great deal of
contact at different levels between the governments of the two countries.
Notwithstanding knack of media attention, we can expect active cooperation
between India and Awerica in the present situation.
vipul : Mr.Haider What is your opinion in linking this
anti-terrorism fight to a particular religion. It might have deep implications
for our country too in long terms. Salman Haidar : Your
point is entirely valid. The government has been at pains to delink the fight
against terrorism with any single religion as has been emphasized by the prime
minister. This is absolutely essentiual ina multi-religious democracy like
ours.
mdsaleems : Hello salman saab, i think if US and its
allies Attacks severly on afgahinistan, afghan will retailete by attacking
Inida Salman Haidar : You would have seen threats from
Afghanistan to attack those who facilitate America's plans. India is already
feeling the effect of infiltration and attack by Afghan-based militants. If such
attacks are reinforced, India will have no choice but to meet the challenge with
all the resources at its command.
ravibwan : In this situation, what Pakistan should do, as
per yr opinion Salman Haidar : In my view, Pakistan must
rethink its policy of giving support to extremist and terrorist elements while
denying that it is doing so. This calculated ambiguity will no longer serve any
purpose. Much better now for Pakistan to distance itself from such elements.
Sandeep : will terror in kashmir cease after taliban is
dismantled by US? Salman Haidar : The Taleban have given
shelter to some groups of militants now active in Kashmir. However, these are
not the only groups, so their elimination will not automatically mean the end of
the problem in Kashmir. It will nevertheless greatly ease the situation.Thank
you ver much, it was nice talking to you, see you sometime soon. Bye for
now.
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