Selective fight won’t root out terrorism from world: Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov. 3: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah believes that terrorism can not be rooted out from the world alone by bombing Afghanistan but by fighting the menace everywhere it is present. All the countries, he said, have to come together and fight it out rather than choosing selective areas for taking on terror.

"Bombing Afghanistan will not solve the problem of terrorism", he told visiting Egyptian journalists representing AI Ahram and Alm Alyom newspapers, adding all countries of the world have to work with each other to meet the challenge that has assumed global proportions. He said unless there was cooperation among nations against terrorism it was going to hit them one by one. The September 11 incident, when the World Trade Centre and Pentagon in the United States were bombed, he said, would go down in the history as an important day when the world suddenly woke up to the dangers of terrorism that India had been drawing its attention to. "Not much heed was paid to our pleas till that day", he said.

Dr. Abdullah said the US always thought that the monster of terror would never cross the Atlantic and reach its doorstep but now it realises how India had been suffering from terrorism. He underscored the need for a joint response against this scourge whether in New York, Kashmir, Yemen or Middle East. He said that if terrorism was not eradicated now the world might have to pay a still heavier price.

Blaming Pakistan for running terror factories, the Chief Minister said it has been training, aiding, abetting and exporting terrorism to Jammu and Kashmir for over a decade now. He said militants from various countries were given arms training there and pushed into the State. The Taliban who are now seen as a threat to the world peace are the creation of Pakistan, he said and recalled his visit to the US in 1993 where he had warned some Senators about the dangers in ignoring India’s pleas. "Now they realise what we had been telling to them", he said, adding that his prediction about militants turning Frankestein on Pakistan had also come true. "Today, they are threatening General Musharraf himself who promoted them", he added.

Giving the background of Pakistan’s obsession with Kashmir, Dr. Abdullah said Kashmiris rejected the two-nation theory propounded by its rulers as the basis for partition of India in 1947. He said having failed to get Kashmir through wars it prepared and implemented Operation Topac to wage a proxy war on India. He said propaganda mills in the neighbouring country work overtime to mislead the world that Kashmiris were suppressed by India. He said militants from various countries were indoctrinated by Islam and made to believe that they were fighting a holy war.

The Chief Minister admitted that India made some mistakes with regard to Kashmir. He said in the first instance it made a mistake of going to the United Nations and then by not vacating in full the aggression by Pakistan on the State in 1947. He said while the State had some grievances with the Centre nobody wanted secession from the country. The people of the State might have hundred differences with New Delhi on issues but that is an internal matter and would not be resolved by taking up arms, he said. We have problems of underdevelopment and unemployment that are being addressed to with the assistance of the Centre.

Rejecting the idea of an independent Kashmir, Dr. Abdullah said it was neither possible nor practicable. He said the State is landlocked and by mustering all its resources its revenue is Rs. 700 crore while the wage bill of State Government employees alone is Rs. 3200 crore, spending on development and other sectors being besides this. "Where would the money for army and airforce of the independent country to safeguard its long borders with neighbours come from?", he asked.

The Chief Minister said Pakistan should know that India would never part with Jammu and Kashmir even if it possesses 10,000 nuclear weapons. He said Kashmir is the pillar of Indian secularism and advised the rulers of the neighbouring country to shun violence and bitterness and work for peace and development in the region. He said by harping on Kashmir Pakistan was doing disservice to Indian Muslims who in any case outnumber their co-religionists in that country. He said India wants friendly relations with its western neighbour but this desire had to be reciprocated by Pakistan.

In reply to a question about his strategy to combat militancy, the Chief Minister said it could be done by taking various steps simultaneously. He said militancy has to be fought on both military and economic fronts. He said while the militant threat is to be met with force, better facilities, good governance, tackling unemployment and bringing migrants back to their homes have to be done side by side. He said restoration of autonomy to the State was an important ingredient of his strategy to fight militancy. Asked if he knew the September 11 attacks in US were going to escalate violence in Kashmir, he said that after the failure of Agra talks it was expected that Pakistan would increase violence here.

‘Handover Jerusalem to UN’

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 3: Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah has suggested handing over of Jerusalem to the United Nations and shifting of its headquarters there to end the tangle between Israel and Palestinians over the holy city. However, he is not sure if the United States would let that happen.

"Let Jerusalem which is the bone of contention in the Middle East be a UN territory with its headquarters shifted there", he told Egyptian journalists who interviewed him here on global situation in the wake of terror attacks on the United States. He said the situation in the Middle East being volatile as it is there was remote possibility that the disputing parties gave up their claim over the holy city given its religious significance for both Muslims and Jews besides Christians. He said the best option was to hand it over to the UN and set up its headquarters there. "But would the United States let the UN headquarters move out of New York?", he wondered.

Dr. Abdullah called for redress of Palestinians’ grievance and urged the US to have an even handed approach towards the two warring sides in the Middle East. He said for eradication of terrorism from the world it was necessary to address the Palestine problem in a just manner. The US, unfortunately, is seen as biased in favour of one side, he said.

The Chief Minister described Egypt as a long time friend of India and said relations between the two countries have always been warm and cordial. He said from the time of President Jamal Abdul Nasar to President Husni Mubarak this friendship has progressed. He said he had visited Egypt during the time of President Nasar and was looking forward for an opportunity to visit there again.

Karzai, two others executed
Taliban suffer blow, stay defiant

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: In first major defeat at the hands of opposition forces since the launch of US military operation in Afghanistan, ruling Taliban today lost a key district near the town of Mazar-e-Sharif, but said they would not shy away from fighting the war with the US even during Ramadan.

Continuing the offensive on Taliban targets, US forces launched strings of air strikes in and around the village of Starqash, 40 km from capital Kabul, as Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said hundreds of more US special troops are ready to infiltrate into Afghanistan to put pressure on the harbourers of terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden.

After weeks of fighting, the opposition forces captured large portions of Aq-Kupruk, 70 km south of Mazar-e-Sharif, after a three-hour battle during which 800 Taliban fighters changed sides, Gen Atiqullah Baryaalai of the Northern Alliance said.

There was no word from the militia on the opposition claims.

Fighting close to Mazar-e-Sharif has been at stalemate for weeks. Pentagon officials in the US said that the fight for the city has been "difficult and tough" and that American ground forces were helping numerous anti-Taliban forces including the Northern Alliance.

If the opposition forces gain control of Mazar-e-Sharif, the United States has indicated it might set up an air base at a nearby air field.

With President George W Bush declaring that he would not shut down US bombing during Ramadan, beginning later this month, the defiant militia virtually challenged him, saying they were ready to fight during the fasting month and vowed to protect bin Laden.

"We see this war as a Jehad. We have not asked for a halt to the fighting ... This is up to the United States," a Taliban official close to militia supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar told Qatar’s Al Jazeera TV network.

"Jehad is a religious duty and it does not violate (the tenets of) Ramadan," Mohammad Taieb Al-Agha, Omar’s chief of staff, said adding "protecting bin Laden is a religious duty."

He said the Afghan people have expressed readiness to sacrifice themselves to defend bin Laden and they "will not capitulate to the US or any other infidel force."

Meanwhile, US said one of its military helicopters crashed in Afghanistan due to bad weather, injuring its four crew members who were rescued immediately by another chopper.

Taliban however said they had shot down two American helicopters.

Meanwhile, the Taliban executed three of 23 supporters of Hamid Karzai, exiled king Zahir Shah’s top aide, on treason charges in Kandahar yesterday, ‘The Frontier Post’ said today, quoting unconfirmed reports.

The newspaper said that Karzai, a former Deputy Foreign Minister and a tribal elder, was also among those executed.

When family members of Karzai in Quetta were contacted, Ahmad Wali Karzai, his brother denied the reports of the execution, the paper said.

"I talked to him via telephone at 11.20 am. He is fine and far from the Taliban controlled area," he told the newspaper.

Ahmad Wali said he had no information about Karzai’s return to Pakistan.

Taliban intelligence units which are on a mission to arrest pro-Zahir Shah activists around the country arrested 25 followers of Karzai in Kandahar near Kajaki dam during an operation in Deh Rot and seized 600 Kalashnikov rifles and some important documents from his headquarters.

The charges against the followers of Karzai were similar to those levelled against executed Abdul Haq, who was trying to seek support for a broad-based Government headed by exiled monarch Zahir Shah under the US’ umbrella.

According to the paper Karzai has survived a Taliban attack on a meeting of tribal elders he convened in Uruzgan province, and that his forces captured twelve Taliban soldiers in the skirmish.

Karzai, an influential Zahir Shah supporter, and his followers apparently sneaked into Taliban-controlled territory from Pakistan in a bid to rally support for a new Government to replace the Taliban regime.

Meanwhile, reports from Peshawar say Haji Zaman, another pro-Zahir Shah commander, has been arrested by the Taliban.

But commander Zaman’s family has denied the reports and said that he was still in Pakistan. (PTI/UNI)

Govt reduces power cuts by 3½ hrs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: Announcing reduction in power curtailment from nine hours to five and half hours throughout the State from tomorrow, the Power Minister, Mr S S Slathia today said that there will be no night curtailment from 9 pm onwards.

The Minister who was interacting with the members Chamber of Commerce and Industries here today, said the new curtailment schedule will be uniform for the entire State and the people will this way get a relief of three and half hours from power cut daily.

He said the decision was taken after the procurement of 300 mw more power from Northern Grid keeping in view the consistent demand of the people of the Jammu region and the forthcoming fasting month of Ramzan.

With the procurement of additional 300 mws the available capacity of power in the State will touch to 730 mws, Mr Slathia said, adding the procured electricity will be distributed equally in all the three regions.

He, however, said the actual requirement of the state is 1460 mws and prior to additional procurement our availability was only 430 to 470 mws which means that the State was facing a shortage of over 1000 mws. But with the additional procurement this shortage has been further slashed to 730 mws he added.

This is for the first time that 300 mw additional allocation has been made during the last ten years to the State, he said, adding this was only possible due to the efforts of Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah.

He, however, complimented the Union Minister for Power Mr Suresh Prabhu for taking keen interest in providing additional power allocation to the State.

Seeking the cooperation of the people the Minister said his all efforts are to improve the power supply in the State and solve this problem for ever. But this can not be achieved single handedly without the cooperation of the people, he added while asking the people to refrain from misusing the electricity.

He also announced that the industrial units will be supplied 16 hours power daily and the schedule in this regard will be framed by the PDD authorities in a meeting with leaders of various industrial units here on Monday.

Admitting that the J&K State was lagging behind in power sector he said generation of electricity has been the first priority with our Government now as it is most needed to boost the industry in the State.

He said now some new projects have been taken up in hand and after the commissioning of Bhagaliyar, Upper Sind and Sewa Hydel projects this shortage will decrease.

Mr Slathia denied the charges that State Government had withheld the money of the Northern Grid and asserted that "we are the best paymasters in the country and have no shortage of money to pay the arrears to Northern Grid".

The Minister assigned the climatic conditions and decrease in water level in rivers as the main cause for the low generation of power in the State.

Warning action against the Departmental officials involved in power theft and loss of revenue, he asked the people to come with definite proof of your complaints in this regard which should be supported by an affidavit. He assured them the moment they provide him this information, he will lose no time in dismissing the official.

He said strong measures are being taken to curtail the pilferage of power and loss of revenue in the State. In the first instance tamper -proof meters will be installed outside the premises of all the domestic consumers from November 15.

The metre readers and inspectors can thus take the reading from outside and the consumer will be served the bill accordingly. This will not only improve the revenue generation but also help in curtailing the power theft as the power to consumers will be supplied as per the metre, he said.

He, however, maintained that the consumer as well as the employees are responsible for the loss of revenue and the situation will not improve till both do not realise their duty. Till people are educated not to misuse the electricity we can not over come the problem, the Minister added.

He said despite the enhancement of power tariff the Government was still paying Rs 6.5 crore subsidy to people. After purchasing the per unit of power for Rs 3.35 the Government is selling it at Rs 1.35, he added.

He said many steps were taken up by the National Conference Government for the bettering of power supply in the State and the receiving Stations of Janipur, Power House Canal, Hiranagar and Udhampur were upgraded.

Regarding the pending cases of industrialists before the Department the Minister gave on spot instructions to the Development Commissioner Power to take up these cases for settlement.

Earlier highlighting the problems of the people and industry faced due to power curtailments, the president Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Ram Sahai demanded certain concessions be given to the sick unit holders.

He maintained that providing of the infrastructural facilities to the industry is the prime responsibility of the Government. He demanded the sick industry holders be asked to pay the tariff on the basis of metre readings.

He also demanded that the power curtailment scheduled for Gangyal and Brahmanah be reduced to four hours a day and complete elimination of power cut during night hours. He also stressed on encouragement of non conservation of energy.

According to new schedule there will be three time slots and three groups. The curtailment will start from 6 am and each group will get power four hours in forenoon, four hours in afternoon and two hours during peak and load hours from 6 pm to 9 pm and the same group will remain off for two hours in forenoon, two hours in afternoon and only for one hour during evening peak hours.

The Group A will remain off from 10 am to 12 noon, 4pm to 6pm and 8pm to 9pm tomorrow and Group B will remain off from 6 am to 8 am, 12 to 2 pm and 6 pm to 7 pm. While Group C will remain off from 8 am to 10 am, 2 pm to 4 pm & 7 pm to 8 pm and the same schedule will rotate consequently.

Rohmetra in Capital to accompany PM visiting abroad

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 3: The Editor-in-Chief of DAILY EXCELSIOR, Mr S D Rohmetra arrived here today to accompany Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee on his 10-day three nation visits beginning from November 4.

Mr Vajpayee is visiting Russia, United States of America and United Kingdom where he is scheduled to meet President Vladmir Putin in Moscow on November 6, President George Bush in Washington on November 9 and Prime Minister Tony Blair in London on November 12.

The Prime Minister will also address the UN General Assembly in New York on November 10.

Mr Rohmetra is amongst the selected mediamen from the nation who is accompanying Mr Vajpayee on his 10-day visit to three of the five big countries of the world.

DAILY EXCELSIOR Editor-in-Chief has also the distinction of accompanying the then Prime Minister Mr P V Narasimha Rao on his visit to Malaysia.

Visit to highlight terrorism
PM leaves today on 3 nation tour

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 3: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee leaves here tomorrow on a three-nation tour to focus on India’s role in the current global campaign against terrorism besides further cementing ties with the US, Britain and Russia.

The nine-day visit will also help India project its concerns over the role of Pakistan in fomenting cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir so that the issue is not glossed over in the campaign.

While a meeting between Vajpayee and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf appears unlikely on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the possibility of a meeting between External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Abdul Sattar is being talked about.

Vajpayee is slated to address the UNGA on November 10 in which his main thrust is expected to be the need to eliminate terrorism internationally in all its dimensions.

Reflecting their current concerns, India and Russia will sign the Moscow declaration on international terrorism on November seven after discussions between Vajpayee and President Vladimir Putin.

The high-level consultations between India and the US after the September 11 terror strikes in Washington and New York have imparted an added significance to the meeting Vajpayee will have with President George W Bush at the White House on November nine. Their discussions will extend over a lunch to be hosted by Bush.

During the visit, India and Russia will sign the Moscow declaration on international terrorism after one-to-one and delegation level talks between Vajpayee and President Vladimir Putin.

The Prime Minister’s discussions with Putin will cover the entire range of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Several bilateral agreements will be reached between the two sides including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on construction of Koodankulam nuclear power station in Tamil Nadu.

Leaving New Delhi on November four, Vajpayee reaches historic city of St Petersburg (Leningrad) and would go to Moscow the following day.

Besides the Moscow declaration, the two sides will sign a joint statement on bilateral, international and strategic issues and the announcement of the Indo-Russian eminent persons group.

Apart from the agreement on the nuclear power plant, bilateral agreements expected to be signed include an accord between EXIM Bank and Vnesheconombank for extension of credit line of 10 million US dollars.

Vajpayee’s return visit to Russia is in line with the strategic partnership between the two countries signed during Putin’s visit in October last year when it was decided to hold annual summits.

The visit is expected to impart a new impulse, greater depth and content to Indo-Russian relations and consolidate the positive trends that emerged from the visit of President Putin.

He will have separate meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Igopr Ivanov, Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov and Chairman of the State Duma (Lower House of Parliament) Gennady Seleznyev.

In the last lap, the Prime Minister will pay a one-day working visit to Britain to follow up on discussions he had with Tony Blair in New Delhi on October six.

He would also have a meeting with British Home Secretary David Blunkett to discuss how the two countries could further strengthen their cooperation in combating international terrorism and India’s proposed comprehensive convention on international terrorism.

The Prime Minister’s high level delegation includes External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, Foreign Secretary Chokila Iyer and senior officials.

Army claims death of 3 Pak soldiers
Two militants, civilian killed in Budgam

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 3: Even as exchange of shelling continued between Pakistani and Indian troops in Uri sector and Army claimed to have killed three Pakistani soldiers "in retaliation", two militants and a civilian got killed in the nightlong gunbattle at Chewa village, in Budgam district. One person has been beheaded in Tral area.

Informed sources told EXCELSIOR that two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and a civilian died in the gunbattle that had begun at Chewa village last evening. As already reported in this newspaper, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 02 Bn and SOG Waripora (Baramulla) had launched the search operation at Chewa, in Wadwan-Narbal belt of Budgam district, last evening. As per the tip off, four militants of Hizbul Mujahideen had got trapped.

The militants killed in the fierce gunbattle have been identified as Javed Ahmed Dar S/o Ghulam Mohammad Dar R/o Wadwan and Hilal Ahmed Dar S/o Khizar Mohammad Dar R/o Chewa. A civilian driver, namely Ghulam Rasool Dar S/o Mohammad Ismail Dar of the same village sustained critical injuries in the encounter and later died at hospital. While as Police sources said that the militants were members of Hizbul Mujahideen, a Defence spokesman claimed that both of them were cadres of Jaish-e-Mohammad. As already reported, two residential houses suffered extensive damage in the operation.

Reports from south Kashmir said that, late last evening, unidentified persons kidnapped Pervez Ahmed Bhat S/o Mohammad Sultan Bhat of Khangund, Tral, and later killed him by slitting his throat. His decapitated dead body was recovered today. Reports said that Bhat’s father had been shot dead by militants, on account of his National Conference connections, in 1998.

3 Pak soldiers killed

Defence sources said that, without any provocation, Pakistani troops began heavy gunfire and shelling on Indian positions at Khoja Pindi and two other places in Uri sector, on LoC. Sources said that due to the exchange of fire, entire Haji Pir sub sector remained disturbed since last evening. He claimed that three Pakistani soldiers died when Indian troops retaliated from three pickets. There was no independent confirmation.

Four terrorists, civilian killed in 3 operations

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: Four terrorists including a notorious guide of Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) and a civilian were killed while another ultra was captured alive in separate encounters in Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur districts today.

Defence sources here said in continuance of yesterday’s highly successful operations in Sabjian and Mandi belts of Poonch district wherein 20 terrorists were killed in a single day, army and police carried out another operation at village Brari in Sabjian at 1130 hours today.

After about one hour long operation, army and police personnel killed one militant and arrested another. Before being killed, the terrorist lobbed a couple of grenades towards army but they missed the target and fell in a field killing a civilian and wounding another.

Both civilians were working in their fields when the grenade exploded. Civilian killed in grenade explosion has been identified as Mohd Akbar, 36, son of Akbar Ali Mangral, a resident of Brari. Injured civilian Mohd Bashir of Brari has been admitted in hospital.

Identity of slain and captures terrorists couldn’t be ascertained but both of them were stated to be Pakistanis. Two AK-56 rifles, three magazines, 37 rounds, one wireless set and three live grenades were recovered from the possession of slain terrorists. Army didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

Body of deceased civilian Mohd Akbar was handed over to his family this evening after post-mortem.

Another operation was launched jointly by army and the Border Security Force (BSF) in Makhyari dhok of Sabjian this evening. In a brief encounter that lasted just 25 minutes, the security personnel gunned down a notorious guide of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Identified as Jameel Ahmed, 43, a local guide was working for ISI for last more than 12 years and was instrumental in the infiltration of several terrorist groups to this side from Pakistan.

Jameel was conducting recce of the area in Sabjian before bringing in another group of ultras this evening when he was spotted by army and BSF jawans and shot dead instantly. A bag full with the rounds of Universal Machine Gun (UMG) were recovered from him.

Elimination of Jameel was a big blow to ISI as he was well versed with the infiltrations route along Line of Control (LoC).

With these two killings, a total of 22 terrorists have been killed by Poonch Brigade during last two days and 36 in last one week.

Another terrorist was shot dead by the security forces at village Chityari in Chingus area of Rajouri district this evening. Slain terrorist was a Jaish-e-Mohammed activist but his identity couldn’t be established. A rifle was recovered from him.

Another ultra was eliminated by troops of 38 Rashtriya Rifles at village Chakrat in Mahore tehsil of Udhampur early today. Two AK rifles with two magazines, two grenades, a wireless set and 40 rounds were recovered from encounter site.

Recovery of two AK rifles indicated that another ultra might have escaped during gun-battle, the sources said.

The terrorists burnt a primary school at village Juda in Thathri area of Doda. Before fleeing, the terrorists had planted two IEDs near the school, which were defused by army.

US brands LeT, JeM as foreign terrorist outfits

WASHINGTON, Nov 3: Fulfilling India’s long-standing demand days before Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit, the US banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad by designating them as "foreign terrorist organisations", to further the current campaign against global terrorism.

Secretary of State Colin Powell accepted a recommendation by Attorney General John Ashcroft to designate 46 groups including the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) as "foreign terrorist organisations" yesterday.

The LTTE, which is waging a war in Sri Lanka for a separate homeland for Tamils, is also among the outfits that have been designated as foreign terrorist organisations.

"The terrorist groups designated by the Secretary as foreign terrorist organisations maintain networks around the world and use these networks to facilitate deliberate acts of violence against innocent persons to further their nefarious designs," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

Indian Ambassador Lalit Mansingh welcomed the decision which could be seen as a stinging rebuttal of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf that the terrorists active in Kashmir are "indigenous freedom fighters."

The US does not employ the term ‘ban’ but the action carries the same legal consequences as a ban.

Ashcroft, in a communication to Powell, had said that LeT and JeM and other outfits whose assets were frozen by the Bush administration after the Sept 11 terror strikes in the US should be branded as "terrorist organisations".

Lashkar and Jaish had figured in the list of the organisations and individuals whose assets were frozen by President George W Bush for having "links" with terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden or his Al-Qaeda network.

The move, which fulfils a long-standing demand by New Delhi and comes a week before the arrival of Vajpayee for talks with Bush, was promptly welcomed by Indian Ambassador to the US Lalit Mansingh.

The designation of the outfits as terrorist organistions would have an impact not only on them but also on their benefactors. Besides a freeze on the finances, their members and supporters will come under a number of legal restrictions.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General designated the foreign terrorist organizations under the executive order the President signed on Sept 23 to facilitate the US effort to stop the flow of money to terrorist groups.

He said this round of executive order designations was by no means the last. "The list of affected organisations and individuals is a living document. We will continue to expand it as we identify and confirm additional entities that provide financial and other support to terrorist organisations.

"...The terrorist groups designated by the Secretary as foreign terrorist organisations maintain networks around the world, and use these networks to facilitate deliberate acts of violence against innocent persons to further their nefarious designs," he said.

Although the current focus of the US campaign is the elimination of the Al-Qaeda terrorist network, said Boucher, "we will not rest until every terrorist group has been removed as a threat to the United States, our citizens or interests and our friends and allies."

Mansingh said it would not be necessary for Vajpayee to tell Bush that India rejected Musharraf’s designation of terrorists in Kashmir as "freedom fighters" because Bush and Powell in their statements have accepted the fact that there was no distinction between terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and global terrorism that the US is fighting against.

"That has been made clear," he said.

"So it is absurd to say that Kashmiris are fighting the freedom struggle through terrorists imported from outside. We should hear the Kashmiris speak for themselves." (PTI)

Fake currency racket busted

SRINAGAR, Nov 3: Jammu and Kashmir police have busted a fake currency racket with the arrest of five persons here and seizure of equipment used by them, police said today.

Superintendent of Police Abdul Qayoom Mir told reporters here that the breakthrough came with the arrest of Noor Mohammad Sheikh from Qalamdauya area of the city recently.

Sheikh, during interrogation, confessed of his involvement in the racket and led the police to a house in Bemina area from where one Altaf Ahmad who was printing notes using a computer was arrested, Mir claimed.

The owner of the house Mohammad Sultan was also arrested and thousands of fake notes were seized, he said.

Their interrogation led to arrest of two more persons Mohammad Ashraf Khan and Bigal Ahmad, he said.(PTI)

Rumsfeld arrives today in Delhi

NEW DELHI, Nov 3: United States Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrives here tomorrow night for talks with his Indian counterpart George Fernandes on the ongoing US-led strikes against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Defence Ministry sources said discussions on long-term military cooperation between the two countries, cooperation in special operations, cooperation in counter-terrorism and in nuclear chemical and biological warfare are also likely to figure during Monday’s meeting at the South Block.

Mr Rumsfeld, who arrives here from Pakistan, is the second high ranking American official after Secretary of State Colin Powell to visit India in three weeks after the attacks began in Afghanistan.

The US official is on a five-nation whistle stop tour of Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and India to hold discussions on the protracted US-led war against terrorism. The visit comes even as the US military is struggling to beef up its special forces on the ground to help the Northern Alliance advance against the Taliban.

Mr Rumsfeld will come to Delhi after exchanging views with the military Government in Pakistan on the defence strategy to be implemented in targetting the Taliban as well as Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda network. (UNI)

Saxena meets Advani

NEW DELHI, Nov 3: Jammu and Kashmir Governor G C Saxena had a meeting with Home Minister L K Advani here today.

Saxena appprised Advani of the situation in J and K, official sources said. (PTI)

Laden issues new videotape

DUBAI, Nov 3: Osama bin Laden issued a new videotaped statement saying the Afghan people were not to blame for the September 11 attacks and accusing the UN of crimes against Muslims by approving the US bombing of Afghanistan.

The world’s most wanted man today appeared in footage broadcast by the Arabic satellite television channel Al-Jazeera, in his third public statement since the attacks on New York and Washington.

The Saudi-born guerrilla leader, accused of mounting those attacks and the target of a US bombing campaign intended to flush him out of hiding in Afghanistan, described the UN as a tool of crime against Muslims and said Arab leaders who cooperated with the world body were infidels.

"The United Nations is a crime tool," the Saudi-born dissident said in a recorded statement. "We (Muslims) are being slaughtered every day and it (the UN) does not move."

UN special representative Lakhdar Brahimi met Pakistani and Afghan leaders this week and was to visit Iran next to discuss how a new Afghan Government might replace the ruling Taliban, bin Laden’s protectors.

The Governments of Muslim states bordering Afghanistan plan to meet again with US, Chinese and Russian officials later this month for further talks on the question.

"Those who claim to be Arab leaders and are still (cooperating) with the United Nations are infidels," said bin Laden. He appeared on the footage wearing traditional headdress and a military camouflage jacket, and with an automatic rifle propped at his side against a brown wall or screen behind him.

"Today without any evidence the United Nations is pedalling resolutions in support of America... Against the weak who just emerged from a massive war by the Soviet Union," he said.

"The people of Afghanistan have nothing to do with this matter (the attacks on the United States)," said bin Laden, without saying who was to blame. "But the campaign continues annihilating villagers, women and children without a right."

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan indicated early last month that existing UN resolutions gave Washington the right to proceed with a military strike against those responsible for the attacks on US cities that killed thousands.

There was no indication as to when the statement was recorded, but bin Laden’s remarks suggest it was after the October 7 start of the US bombing of Afghanistan.

Bin Laden blamed the UN for the creation of the state of Israel, by approving a resolution that "surrendered the land of Islam for the Jews" in 1947.

The channel broadcast parts of the statements and said it would air more from 2330 IST today. (REUTERS)

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