March 9, 2002
'5'
THERE IS NO USE OF HAVING TALKS WITH PAKISTAN TILL ISLAMABAD PROVED ITS SINCERITY ON ITS ACTION TO END TERRORISM: SAYS ADVANI
The Union Home Minister, Shri L.K. Advani today said that there was no point in having talks with Pakistan unless Islamabad demonstrated some concrete actions to end terrorism, particularly cross border terrorism. He said that while the world at large, especially Western nations felt the impact of terrorism only after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre, India has been fighting this menace for the last two decades. Referring to the Kandhar highjacking incident and the Bombay serial bomb blast, he said, New Delhi had concrete evidence against 20 criminals whose names have been given to Pakistan for extradition. He said the Musharraf Administration will have to prove through its action that it really means business. Shri Advani said this while addressing the 33rd Raising Day Parade of the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) in Indira Puram, on the outskirts of Delhi. Referring to some press reports about Pakistan Home Minister’s ! invitation to him to visit Pakistan where he could discuss matters relating to the listed terrorists/criminals, Shri Advani said though he felt happy about such a visit to Pakistan, particularly Karachi where he spent his childhood, at this moment such a visit would have no meaning nor there was any need.
He highly praised the CISF personnel for their performance wherever they are deployed. He said it was a matter of pride that out of the 268 industrial units where the force have been deployed, 178 are free of any crime and the unlawful activity in the rest of the units was negligible. He also referred to improve welfare measures for the force personnel and their families.
The new Director General of CISF , Shri S.J. Dora in his welcome address mentioned about the deployment of the forces in newer areas other than industrial units in the country and said the CISF was prepared to take any responsibility bestowed on it.