Posted on 05/17/2002 5:32:26 PM PDT by TheConservator
Home Minister LK Advani's expression of "deep disappointment" with the US in Parliament was matched by tough language to US Ambassador Robert Blackwill behind closed doors.
In meetings on Friday with National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra and Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh, Blackwill was told the US had failed to fulfil promises to restrain Pakistan from supporting terrorism. India, therefore, would take "appropriate action". A similar message was given to US Secretary of State Colin Powell when he spoke to Singh earlier.
Blackwill's assurances that the US saw the fight against Kashmir militancy as part of the global war on terrorism received a sceptical response.
India said Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had done nothing concrete to rein in terrorists — despite US promises to the contrary. India showed evidence that cross-border terrorism had increased after Pakistan pledged to fight terror.
Blackwill's request for more time to get Pakistan to comply was rejected.
Blackwill expressed US President George W Bush's concerns about tensions escalating into a full-scale war. India, he was told, would not take rash decisions but as a sovereign country it reserved the right to act on its security needs. India was urged not to break diplomatic relations with Pakistan.
Following these exchanges, there was a ratcheting up of diplomatic activity in the city.
Blackwill and senior US embassy officials reviewed the situation late into the night and consulted with Washington. There was speculation that besides Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, expected in South Asia in the next fortnight, Powell may also fly here.
And if it does so, there is then a significant chance that the conflict will quickly escalate to the use of nuclear weapons. Pakistan has already announced it intends to use nuclear weapons if India launches a successful conventional attack upon it.
Have a nice day.
Despite the great size of India's military I have serious doubts that it can logistically support it well enough to enable any sort of meaningful victories that would lead to exchange of nukes. Having said that the chaos and cost of war may in turn lead to internal problems in Pakistan and the establishment of an unfriendly government there (see Russia 1917).
And if it does so, there is then a significant chance that the conflict will quickly escalate to the use of nuclear weapons.
We've been hearing this for 6 months straight. Whatever....
The difference is that now the forces are in place to launch off into Pakistan. 6 months ago they weren't.
HOW do we restrain them? We can't even restrain Saudi Arabia, another "ally", from supporting terrorism. Invade Pakistan like Afghanistan?
"Pakistan with current population of 137.5 million is the seventh most populous country in the world, fourth in Asia...".
We'll force 'em to get a new Muslim president that's a lot worse than Musharref, maybe? What exactly does India suggest we do?
It does not get much press in the U.S. compared to the Middle East, but efforts to stir up war between India and Pakistan have been quite intense.
Looks like OBL is stalled in the Middle East. Maybe not in Kashmir.
Actually, Powell, Bush et al seem more into restraining Israel, a true ally, from defending itself. Wait for outraged noises from the State Department admonishing India about touching their islamic pals...
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