'Kashmir Elections Are Not Enough'

There has been significant improvement in relations between India and the US over the past four years. Our trade and investment relationship has grown dramatically. There were many senior level visits, including Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s trip to Washington in 1994. We have much closer security cooperation, following Secretary William Perry’s visit, and we now hold regular meetings of the Defence Policy Group. I expect relations in these and other areas will continue to grow over the next four years as both countries increasingly see it in their interests to have a productive relationship.

The first term saw tensions over the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) negotiations are starting soon. How do you see things developing on the FMCT?

We are only in the early stages of the negotiations process on the FMCT, which is the next critical step in the global pursuit of the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons. We believe that this treaty, like the CTBT, is very much in the interest of India and other countries that want to enhance their security. Both treaties are also important steps toward the goal of global disarmament. We바카라 웹사이트 will work closely with the Indian Government as negotiations proceed.

How does the US see Indian External Affairs Minister I.K. Gujral’s flexible approach to India’s neighbours— for example, the recent water treaty with Bangladesh?

Gujral has stated that he believed India, as the largest power in the region, should be more flexible in dealing with its smaller neighbours. I think this is a wise approach for a major power such as India. It will allow for more harmonious and productive relations between India and its neighbours.

How do you view the Kashmir situation now that a duly elected state government has been installed in Srinagar?

Last fall’s elections provide an opportunity for greater stability in Kashmir. However, elections in themselves cannot resolve the conflict there. We believe that India and Pakistan must work together to resolve the Kashmir dispute in a manner that takes into account the wishes of the people of Kashmir.

A just-released report of the Council of Foreign Relations (by Richard Haass and Gideon Rose) has said that US policy in South Asia is based on unrealistic goals and suggests that the US should assist India’s emergence as a world power and prevent Pakistan from turning into a failed state. Do you agree with this broad assessment of US policy and suggested objectives?

The study is a considered and serious look at US relations with an important part of the world. Many of its recommendations are reflected in current US policy to further improve our relationships with India and Pakistan. The US has become increasingly engaged with both India and Pakistan over the past four years and we intend to continue that trend as we work to achieve our broad range of goals in the region.

The report also declares that India and Pakistan have obviously exercised nuclear restraint and that Washington should be more appreciative of this fact.

While they continue their missile and unsafeguarded nuclear programmes, Pakistan and India have shown restraint in some areas. India detonated a nuclear device 22 years ago but has not conducted a second test. Pakistan has never tested a nuclear weapon. Pakistan says it has not produced highly-enriched uranium for six years. We want this self-restraint to continue. India has not capped its fissile material production, but maintains a high degree of civilian control over its nuclear programme.

India and Pakistan have sought to acquire nuclear and missile technology from abroad, but each has a policy of not exporting nuclear or ballistic missile materials, technology or components. To date, neither country has shown an interest in becoming an exporter nation. India, in fact, began in 1995 to implement its own programme of missile export controls. Further, while we are concerned about ballistic missile acquisition and development, both countries have refrained from deploying ballistic missiles.

What is your reading of the situation in Pakistan?

This is an internal political process that is being worked out by the people of Pakistan. We support the strengthening of democratic institutions in Pakistan and believe that constitutional procedures and the rule of law should be followed.

The setting up of the Council for Defence and National Security in Pakistan will give a permanent role to the army in the running of the country. The US has traditionally had close relations with the Pakistan army. Although the Council is supposed to be an advisory body, few believe that. Do you think this development is detrimental to Pakistan’s long-term democratic process?

The evolution of Pakistan’s democratic institutions is an internal matter. We support the strengthening of those institutions. However, the suitability of the Council for Defence and National Security is not an issue for me or the US to address.

Despite several alarming and graphic intelligence leaks over the last one year to newspapers such as the Washington Times and the Post, the State Department continues to deny there is evidence that China is helping develop Pakistan’s바카라 웹사이트 nuclear weapons programme.

We continue to be concerned about reports of Chinese assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programmes. We have addressed these concerns at senior levels with both countries. On May 11, 1996, China publicly stated that it would not provide assistance to unsafeguarded nuclear facilities. Our current information does not provide a basis for concluding that China has reacted inconsistently with its May 11th statement. We expect that China will continue to adhere to its policy.

The case of the hostages taken by the Kashmir separatists appears to have been relegated to the backburner. What steps have you taken to determine that the hostages are alive and will be returned ?

There has not been a verifiable contact with the hostages for over a year and we have no current information about their well-being. Several Kashmiri militants have said they were told by other militants that the hostages have been killed. Although this is hearsay and unconfirmed by physical evidence in spite of strenuous eff o rts to verify it, these reports have to be taken seriously.

Indian authorities have recently formed a special task force which is dedicated to the ongoing hostage incident. They have offered a Rs 1 million reward for information on the whereabouts of the hostages and have set up hotlines and special post office boxes to receive information.

In the US, the F B I is involved in the investigation in cooperation with Indian authorities. F B I and State Department officials, as well as the American ambassador, have made numerous visits to Jammu and Kashmir to pursue leads and discuss the case. The US has announced a reward for information about the hostages. The four governments involved often meet in New Delhi and Islamabad to exchange information and to coordinate their policies. All four governments are in touch with family members. The US is also working closely with Pakistan to pursue leads in that country.바카라 웹사이트