Question : U.S. STAND ON TERRORISM

(a) whether while taking note of the massacre of 35 Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir on March 21, 2000, the U.S. President, Bill Clinton, during his recent visit to the country shared India`s concern for terrorism urging Pakistan to put an end to State-Sponsored terrorism in India;

(b) whether he further endorsed India`s stand on talks with Pakistan which states that no dialogue could be expected unless there is an absence of violence and respect of the Line of Control; and

(c) if so, the manner in which Clinton conveyed the said messages to the present Pak regime?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)

(a) & (b) During President Clinton`s visit to India, Prime Minister and President Clinton shared deep concern on terrorism and expressed their determination to intensify their co-operation in combating terrorism. President Clinton expressed outrage over the massacre of the Sikhs in Kashmir. He outlined the US position that there should be restraint, respect for the Line of Control, refraining from violence and renewed lines of communication. President Clinton had stated that the purpose of his visit to Pakistan was to seek, among other things, a crackdown on terrorist groups and a real effort to create conditions for dialogue with India. He acknowledged that a dialogue cannot be expected to go forward unless there is an absence of violence and a respect for the Line of Control.

(c) In his televised address to the people of Pakistan during his stopover in Islamabad on 25th March, President Clinton raised several issues, including those of Pakistan`s return to democracy; the need for Pakistan to help create conditions that will allow dialogue with India to succeed; the futility of seeking international sympathy, support and intervention by provoking a bigger, bloodier conflict; and, the need for Pakistan to intensify efforts to defeat those who inflict terror. President Clinton stated in his televised address that if Pakistan does not meet these challenges, there is a danger that Pakistan may grow even more isolated.