From: gnreddy@cbnewsf.att.com (G.Narotham Reddy)
Subject: US Likely To Brand Pakistan A Terrorist State
Organization: AT&T
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 15:39:36 GMT


Source   : The Hindustan Times, Page 14
Dated    : Jan 4, 1993
Country  : Pakistan
 
                             * * * * *

* US may brand Pakistan a terrorist state 

Islamabad - Jan 3: (ANI) The United States has informed Islamabad that
it is likely to declare Pakistan a terrorist state in about four
months.
	While communicating this decision taken by the outgoing
Republican Administration, the US sought certain clarifications from
Islamabad for its alleged involvement in terrorist activities.
	Highly placed official sources told the Islamabad-based news
paper "The News" that some clarifications required by Washington were
based on the material India has provided to the Bush Administration.
However, a few charges are based on the information gathered by the US
through its own sources in the region.
	The US administrations has asked Islamabad to clear its
position as early as possible, with conclusive evidence negating these
specific charges which, if established, may lead the incoming
Democratic Administration to brand Pakistan a terrorist state. Now,
under this new development, the Clinton Administration will take up
the matter in April 1993.
	Information submitted to the Foregin Ministry by the Pakistan
Embassy in Washington has revealed startling developments in the
context of Pakistan being included in the category of terrorist
states. One of them is that legal experts had advised President George
Bush some weeks ago that "Pakistan is a fit case for being declared a
terrorist State under US laws". However, the US President disagreed with
these experts, apparently because of long term US interests in the
region. After consultation with his associates, he finally decided to
defer the matter for another four months. Indepth exercises have
already been carried out by Islamabad to avoid the eventuality of
Pakistan being declared a terrorist state.
	Western diplomats in Islamabad feel that if the US takes this
decision, it will be like pushing Pakistan to the wall. "Islamabad may
join hands with Iran against the US, which will ultimately affect
American interests in the region. Moreover, Pakistan and Iran's
cooperation in the field of nuclear technology will actually become a
self-fulfilling prophesy", said a diplomat. Experts believe that the
Bush Administration has delayed the decisions, because of fears of
Pakistan's cooperation with Iran in nuclear technology.
	Currently, Pakistan is not extending cooperation to Iran in this
field. Recent Press report indicating Pakistan is on the verge of
being declared a terrorist country created alarms in the top echelons
of power of the country. 
	Pakistan is said to have prepared a report to be presented to 
Washington shortly about its principled stand on Kashmir.
	It includes substantial evidence to establish that Pakistan is
not involved in Kashmir in anyway, much less in the supply of arms to
Kashmiri freedom fighters.
	Meanwhile, the Pakistan government is thinking of launching a
crackdown on groups which are suspected of providing training to
anybody. The name of a religio-political party tops the list and is
under scrutiny. These groups are allegedly collaborating with arms
tycoons around the world to deliver weapons across the border.

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