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Fernandes tells Musharraf to change hostile stand

Addressing troops in New Delhi on the eve of Independence Day, he said, "On one side they invite our prime minister for talks and on the other they threaten to use nuclear weapons against us and continue to run camps for terrorist training."

He warned Pakistan about the continuing attacks on civilians, saying it would only serve to anger the people and increase the pressure on the government to launch a decisive battle against terrorism.

The defence minister made it clear that President Pervez Musharraf's regime would have to stop cross-border infiltration, dismantle terrorist camps, stop encouraging and supporting terrorist activities on the border, and hand over the 20 criminals and terrorists sought by India.

"We want Musharraf to implement all the promises he made on January 12 and May 27 against terrorism and then only can a conducive atmosphere be created for talks," he said.

"Our country is committed to uprooting terrorism. We are not threatening the territorial integrity of Pakistan nor do we have any intention to cause harm to people in Pakistan. Our only aim is to end the menace of terrorism," he said and told the troops to be prepared for this battle.

The defence minister warned the soldiers that Pakistan was bent upon disrupting the election in Jammu & Kashmir and it would be their task to ensure that all such plots of the militants are foiled.

He praised the troops for their anti-militancy operations in the state, saying that it was the brave jawans and officers who had foiled Pakistan's unholy designs. He also lauded the troops for their efforts in combating communal strife in Gujarat.

Speaking on the welfare of troops, Fernandes said a special committee was being constituted under his chairmanship to chalk out a uniform policy for ex-servicemen, given that it was a challenging task to rehabilitate 60,000 soldiers each year.

PTI

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