'International terrorism, threat to global civilisation'

By Kesava Menon

ISTANBUL, JUNE 30. In its formal discussions with Turkey on the setting up of a new framework for co-operation in security matters, the Indian delegation, headed by the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, avoided specific reference to Pakistan in deference to the sensitivities of the host country. However, in his role as a political leader addressing the public of another country, Mr. Advani has put across India's specific concerns with regard to Pakistan but without sounding an accusatory note.

In an interview to the Turkish Daily News and the few addresses he has delivered to an audience wider than the official delegations, Mr. Advani has stressed that international and cross-border terrorism are a threat to global civilisation. An Osama bin Laden or organisations such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-i- Mohammad could not pose a serious threat unless they were backed by State power, he said. But even while referring to the fact that a ``neighbouring country'' had trained Kashmiri youth in militancy and was sending mercenaries, Mr. Advani avoided naming Pakistan.

When asked what he thought of ``Islamic terrorism,'' Mr. Advani said he objected to the term because India had the largest population of Muslims after Indonesia. The preferred term

was ``fundamentalist terrorism.'' Since India viewed State- sponsored and cross-border terrorism as a major threat to global security and since the threat was spreading, it felt the need for international co-operation.

Mr. Advani suggested during the visit that India and Turkey set up a joint working group on terrorism. India has set up such groups with the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Israel. But, Turkish sources say their Government is not yet ready for setting up a formal working group. Such an arrangement may be feasible only after the relations between the two countries, especially in the economic field, develop further.

The two countries have agreed to set up a wide framework of co- operation in the field of security.

PTI reports from Ankara:

Mr. Advani told the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Bulent Ecevit, during a meeting yesterday that the ``problems'' with Pakistan cannot be solved in ``a jiffy'' and that the Indo- Pakistan summit will only mark a movement forward.

``We have had problems with Pakistan for the last 50 years. And they cannot be solved in a jiffy, in one meeting,'' he said, adding, ``we are optimistic that the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf's visit will mark a movement forward. We are sure tensions will lessen and the process of discussion will be furthered.''

Briefing presspersons about his meeting with Mr. Ecevit, the Minister said the Turkish leader expressed the hope that the summit would be ``fruitful.''

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'India, Turkey ties will promote democracy in Asia'

By Kesava Menon

ISTANBUL, JUNE 30. Cooperation between India and Turkey in the political sphere can help promote democracy in Asia, Turkey's Prime Minister, Mr. Bulent Ecevit, is reported to have told the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, who paid a call on him last evening in Ankara. Mr. Advani is now on an official visit to Turkey.

According to sources, Turkey's Prime Minister had expressed the hope that the coming Indo-Pak summit would be useful and welcomed the fact that the two countries were trying to solve their problems through bilateral dialogue.

Mr. Advani had told him that India had taken the initiative for the dialogue with two parameters in mind. While India was concerned about security on the ground it was also concerned about developing a climate of friendship with her neighbours.

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