Terrorism
Re “Punjabi Minister Killed by Car Bomb in India,” Sept. 1: The government of Pakistan rejects categorically in the strongest terms India’s claim that the Sikh independence movement is “aided by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Agency.” This canard is totally indefensible and obviously it is being peddled with the singular purpose of maligning Pakistan. The government of Pakistan at the highest level has repeatedly condemned all forms of terrorism as being incompatible with civilized behavior and contrary to accepted norms of interstate conduct.
Pakistan has backed its words with deeds in the extradition to the United States of Ramzi Yousef, the alleged mastermind of the World Trade Center bombing.
It has always been easy for India to externalize blame for its ethnic problems on outsiders. This proclivity might prove rewarding internally but it does not advance the cause of peace in South Asia.
SYED RIFAAT HUSSAIN
Minister of Press
Embassy of Pakistan, Washington
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