Blunt warning from US ambassador to Pakistan.

[durango]

US ambassador Nancy Powell yesterday gave a blunt warning to the Pakistani government to end terrorism on its soil and stem rebel incursions into Indian Kashmir.


"Pakistan must ensure its pledges are implemented to prevent infiltration across the Line of Control and end the use of Pakistan as a platform for terrorism," said Powell, a career diplomat and former ambassador to Ghana and Uganda who arrived in Pakistan just a few months ago.

Powell also said Pakistan has been a staunch ally in the U.S.-led global war on terrorism. However, she said Washington wanted a cease-fire along the border that divides Kashmir between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India.



Many in Pakistan especially clerics have demanded her expulsion. Will Pakistan expel her like the four Indian diplomats for making a statement that pretty much says "Pakistan has not stopped cross border terrorism".

Pakistan must stop being "platform for terrorism," end cross-border infiltration

[durango]

After Nancy Powell it's Richard Boucher's turn........

After a drop there has been an increase in militants infiltrating India-ruled Kashmir (news - web sites) and the United States is working with the Pakistan to stop it, the State Department said Friday.


Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, "infiltration has gone down and come back up somewhat."


He said Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has given the United States assurances it will stop and "that is something we work with him on. We do believe infiltration should stop completely."

After Nancy Powell it's Richard Boucher

[Pakistani Tiger]

• Oh yeah.
  
  Check this:
  
  :nono3:No infiltration, Pakistan tells US :nono3:
  
  ISLAMABAD: There is no infiltration from the Line of Control, Pakistan told the United States on Friday. Islamabad also assured the world that it stood by its commitment to the international community.
  
  Nancy Powell was summoned on Friday to the Foreign Ministry, where Additional Foreign Secretary Aneesuddin Ahmed discussed her remarks and repeated Pakistan's stand that no such infiltration occurs.
  
  Powell had made the statement at the American Business Council meeting in Karachi on Thursday. "Pakistan must ensure its pledges are implemented to prevent infiltration across the Line of Control and end the use of Pakistan as a platform for terrorism,'' she had stated.
  
  According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Pakistan's position regarding LoC was reiterated that there was no infiltration from the LoC. "Pakistan has taken all measures not to allow any infiltration."
  
  Pakistan has repeatedly called for the deployment of the UN observers on both sides of the LoC to verify the situation, the statement added. Pakistan also assured the world that it stands by its commitment to the international community. "Pakistan also expected the international community will fulfil its commitment to the peaceful resolutions of the Kashmir dispute," the statement added.
  
  Some religious parties leaders demanded Friday that Pakistan expel the US ambassador for having called for an end to infiltration into held Kashmir. The government said it would not ask Ambassador Nancy Powell to leave.
  
  The US embassy declined to comment. Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, questioned the wisdom of her remarks, but said she had a right to say 'whatever she wants.' "The Pakistan government will not ask the US ambassador to leave the country although she has made some wrong statements,'' he said in a telephone interview.
  
  He said demands by religious leaders for her to depart were politically motivated to appease their largely anti-American followers. "American ambassador has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of Pakistan, and she must be asked by the Pakistan government to leave,'' said Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, secretary general of a pro-Taliban Islamic group, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.
  
  Haideri said Powell's statement shows "America is not our friend.'' Jamaat-e-Islami spokesman Ameerul Azeem said Pakistan should lodge "a strong protest with America.'' A Kashmiri Mujahideen leader on Friday rejected the US ambassador call to Pakistan for Muslim fighters to be stopped from entering Indian-controlled Kashmir.
  
  Leader of the Hezb-ul-Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin told Reuters Powell's remarks were "partisan and unrealistic" and "freedom fighters" would never give up what he called their right to cross into India and fight Indian forces.
  
  "Nancy Powell should condemn Indian state terrorism against Kashmiris," he said. "Kashmiris have never recognised the Line of Control, which is a line of blood dividing Kashmir into two parts," he said.
  
  In a press statement Prof. Khurshid Ahmad, Naib Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, said Nancy Powell has exceeded all frontiers of diplomatic licence by repeating almost exactly what the Indian leadership has been saying about so called cross-border incursions in Kashmir.
  
  He said America should be conveyed the frustration of the Pakistani nation. Prof Khurshid Ahmad called the remarks of the information minister about the statement of the US ambassador weak, apologetic and 'very much muted'.
  
  Meanwhile, in a press statement the PML-N has deplored the remarks of the US ambassador. PML-N Deputy Parliamentary Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said such remarks and similar recent utterances of the US ambassador to India showed that the United States government had shut its eyes to the ground realities, and was blindly supporting India's bid to deprive the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their right to self-determination that was endorsed by the United Nations 53 years ago.
  
  "Describing the indigenous freedom struggle of the Kashmiris as terrorism was not only a travesty of truth, but also the position now taken up by the United States belied its claim of being a friend of Pakistan," he observed.
  

[durango]

What Nancy Powell said that the Kashmir killings by militants aided by Pakistan is terrorism and not "freedom struggle" as described by Pakistan. Powell's remarks has strengthened India's position over Kashmir. The fact that US ambassador to Pakistan has said these words in Pakistan and not paying attention to Pakistani sensitivities tell much about US position on Kashmir. Imagine Robert Blackwill, US ambassador for India making anti-Indian statements in India !!! Robert Blackwill echoes the position of India in every statement he makes.

[Pakistani Tiger]

Originally posted by durango:
What Nancy Powell said that the Kashmir killings by militants aided by Pakistan is terrorism and not "freedom struggle" as described by Pakistan.

Chanda, can you show the same exact words of Nancy darling describing 'Freedom Struggle' as Terrorism'? She didn't even say Cross-Border Terrorism as described by India, used word 'Infiltration'

Powell's remarks has strengthened India's position over Kashmir.

That's what you said a year ago, remember?

The fact that US ambassador to Pakistan has said these words in Pakistan and not paying attention to Pakistani sensitivities tell much about US position on Kashmir.

So.....we have Amensty on our side. Don't worry, US will make out billion dollars military aid with India in up comin' event. All these dialouges always ended up with arm deals. L.K Advani recently did it in Paris before making out 3 billion dollars arm deals with Russia.

Infiltration was continued, a year ago, has been continued, despite of 1M Indian forces on the border, and will continue until the local support exists in IOK, as stated by Cheif of H-B, condemning death of a Kashmiri Policeman.

Imagine Robert Blackwill, US ambassador for India making anti-Indian statements in India !!! Robert Blackwill echoes the position of India in every statement he makes.

I'm sure he has taken notice of US Presit, recently attacked by RSS.

[The_Jackal]

I must say that i agree with what Pakistani Tiger said its all in aid of signing a giant military deal.. Since we all know india is more that willing to buy all the world's military rejects and junk ...


The U.S. only cares for the good old U.S. of America and no one else... Remember that India.

And a small quote:

"One nations terrorist is another nations freedom fighter"

The Jackal

[Jagjeevan]

yes, there was no pressing need for her to make such open and blunt statements but yet she did. only possible cause is to put certain people within the dictatorate in proper place

[The_Jackal]

Nagg Nagg !! That's all some people do!! Dont be delouded your India is not so perfect either, its about time you dismounted off your high horse before your thrown off.. Get my Drift,. The fact the the U.S. wants to help india should concern India more then Pakistan. Considering those migs being piloted by your crappy pilots have trouble even taking off. We are not that concerned.. And you know it dont you!!!

Good Bye and Good Night.

[PaKpatriot1]

Since when is "infiltration" considered terrorism? If it is terrorism, then India and America would both be terrorists nations!
Protecting your countries intrests is not terrorism, its just that, protecting your countires intrests.

[Talwar]

Originally posted by PaKpatriot1:
Since when is "infiltration" considered terrorism? If it is terrorism, then India and America would both be terrorists nations!
Protecting your countries intrests is not terrorism, its just that, protecting your countires intrests.

Even Secretary Colin Powell is calling it terrorism.


Secretary Colin Powell press conference in Davos, Switzerland on January 28.

__________________________________________
SECRETARY POWELL: There is a focus on Iraq. There is also a focus on Pakistan . I spend a good bit of my time dealing with the problems in Pakistan with respect to, you know, the Pakistan-India situation and cross-border terrorism, hostile acts across the line of control after President Musharraf has said that they would stop it, and I have to remain in close touch with Pakistan to ensure that they take every effort to stop that kind of activity. We are also working with Pakistan to round up terrorists in Pakistan and we're working with them to track down al-Qaida remnants in the remote sections of western Pakistan along the Afghan border. We're doing that.
___________________________________________

[dhir]

I would say 'God give more power to Nancy' cos Pakistan is now dancing, or wait a minute, is it a groundwork for Kasuri's visit :-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-2359757,00.html

___________
Most of the men are believed to be members of Jamiat-ul-Ansar, a group previously known as Harkat-ul-Mujahadeen, police said. They were arrested Tuesday on a raid on an office in Dera Ismail Khan...

Those arrested Tuesday were planning to reorganize their activities in Indian Kashmir, Deputy Inspector General Police, Abid Saeed, told The Associated Press from Dera Ismail Khan. Some had received training at camps in Afghanistan and Kashmir, he said.

---------------------------------------------------------------

When have the Pakis ever admitted to anything like what the DIG Saeed is saying here?

[PaKpatriot1]

Originally posted by Talwar:


Even Secretary Colin Powell is calling it terrorism.


Secretary Colin Powell press conference in Davos, Switzerland on January 28.

__________________________________________
SECRETARY POWELL: There is a focus on Iraq. There is also a focus on Pakistan . I spend a good bit of my time dealing with the problems in Pakistan with respect to, you know, the Pakistan-India situation and cross-border terrorism, hostile acts across the line of control after President Musharraf has said that they would stop it, and I have to remain in close touch with Pakistan to ensure that they take every effort to stop that kind of activity. We are also working with Pakistan to round up terrorists in Pakistan and we're working with them to track down al-Qaida remnants in the remote sections of western Pakistan along the Afghan border. We're doing that.
___________________________________________

Then should we consider Indian involvement in Bangldesh and Sri Lanka as terrorism as well? Or how about Americas involvement in Afghanistan during the Cold War, and its support for Sadam during the Iran Iraq war, was that terrorism? Unless you can define what terrorism is, you cant accuse anyone of it.
Well, it depends on who you are and how you look at it.... For example, Kashimirs and Pakistanis both consider Indian occupation of Kashmir as terrorism.
Just because America doesnt recognize it as such, makes no differene, they are in no postion to define who is or isnt a terrorist. Neither is India. America is not God, just because America says something, doesnt mean its true. America see's infiltration as terrorism only so as to appease India, which it considers a strategic long term ally. America has double standards, they are not taking some moral highground, its just strategic. Pakistan is a temporary ally as far as America is concerned, that they will brush aside as soon as they take care of Afghanistan. So, point is, one mans freedom fighter is another mans terrorist.

[Jagjeevan]

so Powell said Pakistan is perpetrating cross border terrorism...so what's new and what's the big deal? the other Powell made some pretty harsh remarks tooo...so what's the big deal? I just hope all this pressure gets pakistan to act and stop the terrorism.

[dhir]

Tchcch, Tchch, it keeps coming back day in day out ...

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_31-1-2003_pg1_5

Pakistan not doing enough to stop infiltration: US

WASHINGTON: Pakistan is still not doing enough to halt incursions by Islamic militants across the Line of Control (LoC) into Indian-held Kashmir, a US official said on Wednesday.

“It is happening and it is not being stopped, and this is the main concern,” said a State Department official on condition of anonymity, after Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri met Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The official said that it was important for Pakistan to drastically cut down on the incursions, branded by India as evidence of state sponsored terrorism, before winter weather lifted and made crossing the LoC easier. “There is some going on despite the fact that it is very difficult, it becomes much easier once the snow goes out of the passes,” the official said. The official said Pakistan had reduced the infiltration last summer but the numbers had since gone back up, perhaps because Pakistan was disappointed its efforts had not triggered a positive reaction from India.