U.S. report flawed, says Pak.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MAY 2. Pakistan has not only termed the U.S. State Department report on `Patterns of Global Terrorism 2000' as ``flawed by glaring omissions and contradictions'' but also utilised the opportunity to launch a tirade against India.

A statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office here tonight said that while acknowledging the cooperation extended by Pakistan to the U.S., the report included some unfounded allegations. It complained that the report misinterpreted the Pakistan people's ``sympathy for the freedom struggle'' of the Kashmiri people and the Government's policy of extending ``political, moral and diplomatic'' support to them.

``The armed resistance of the Kashmiri people to Indian rule is a consequence of India's denial of the right of self-determination and repression of peaceful political activity, and cannot legally or morally be equated with terrorism.''

It said the report failed to take cognisance of Indian ``state terrorism'' in Kashmir. The statement alleged that Indian armed forces continued to massacre civilians seeking their fundamental right to self-determination and freedom from ``alien occupation''.

The Foreign Office maintained that the atrocities and gross violations of human rights of the Kashmiri people by the Indian forces had been reported by a number of organisations, including the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

``The report also acknowledges that Indian forces have intensified their crackdown against the people of Kashmir and have been increasingly implicated in massacres of civilians, arbitrary arrests, rape and torture.''

``The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes with satisfaction that the U.S. report acknowledges Pakistan's commitment to carry out obligations arising from the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1333. It is regrettable, however, that the report fails to take cognisance that this flawed resolution has, in fact, encouraged opposition factions in Afghanistan to obtain weapons for the resumption of fighting. On its part, Pakistan endorses the ceasefire call by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Ruud Lubbers.

``The Government of Pakistan is opposed to terrorism in all its forms and is committed to carrying out its obligations arising from all 10 international conventions on terrorism to which Pakistan is a party,'' the statement said.

'No notice on Army exercises in May'

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Section  : International
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