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External help to terrorism in J&K
must end: Britain

Declaring that the fight against terrorism would not end in Afghanistan, Britain on Tuesday sought an end to external support for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Britain and India are united in the war against terrorism," visiting British Defence Secretary Geoffrey Hoon told reporters, adding, "the fight won't end in Afghanistan. We are against terrorism everywhere, including Kashmir."

Emerging from a 90-minute meeting with Defence Minister George Fernandes, Hoon, who arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, said, "What is being achieved in Afghanistan should send a strong message to terrorists worldwide."

He said, "Britain has long called for an end to external support for terrorism in Kashmir, and we condemn all acts of violence there."

Maintaining that the United Kingdom supported Indian initiatives, Hoon said a peaceful future for the region could be attained only through dialogue.

Replying to a question on Pakistan's support to cross-border terrorism in J&K, Hoon said, "We unreservedly condemn those who seek to foster terrorism in other countries."

He said Britain would use all its influence to ensure that such form of terrorism did not continue.

Hoon said the September 11 attacks in the US had brought home the fact that terrorism in any form could not be tolerated. The campaign in Afghanistan was the beginning of new fight against terrorism, he added.

PTI

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