j_flogger

International force may be deployed at LoC -- Detail Story

BRUSSELS: An international mechanism to check alleged infiltration from
across the Line of Control by deputing an international helicopter-borne
force is under "active consideration" in European capitals, a defence source
in Brussels told The News.

The option of monitoring the border was first expounded by British Foreign
Secretary Jack Straw, known as Straw Formula. European diplomats have told
the two nuclear rivals in South Asia that a workable mechanism to monitor
the alleged infiltration is essential as Western capitals are increasingly
linking their economic and defence relations with India and Pakistan to
their respective resolve and efforts to fight terrorism in the region.

The proponents of the Straw Formula insist that Europe should make an effort
to convince India that the proposed helicopter-borne force will not affect
their position that the Kashmir dispute must be resolved through bilateral
dialogue between India and Pakistan. They insist that Europe should launch
the pursuit aimed at knowing the truth on the alleged infiltration along the
LoC even if India refuses to accept the Straw Formula, a European diplomat
underlined.

Diplomats from both sides of the Atlantic are of the view that the Indian
frequent allegations and several Pakistani denials on cross-border
incursions must be checked through an independent mechanism as ambiguity on
this account is creating difficulties for Western countries wanting to
condition their respective aid packages for developing countries to their
respective roles in the fight against terrorism in their respective regions.

Washington has already attached the condition of recipient country's active
role in fight against terrorism before any aid package is delivered. The aid
worth $3 billion approved by President Bush for Pakistan is also conditioned
to annual presidential certification stipulating that Pakistan is playing
satisfactory role to combat terrorism.

"Pakistan has agreed to the so-called Straw Formula. Pakistani authorities
have conveyed to the Western capitals their considered opinion that an
international helicopter-borne force to monitor infiltration along the LoC
would bolster the peace process in South Asia," the diplomat said.

India is being lured by both the US and European diplomats to consider the
so-called Straw Formula giving the guarantee that such force, if and when
created, would specifically monitor infiltration, while Kashmir would remain
the dispute to be resolved through bilateral dialogue between both
countries.

G-8, the group of most industrialized counties, the European Union and even
the NATO are willing to provide helicopters, other logistics and technical
support for the proposed force without getting themselves involved in the
core of the half a century-old Kashmir dispute between the arch South Asian
nuclear rivals.

Meanwhile, a joint appeal by two prominent international scholars and
physicists seeking to establish a monitoring mechanism along the LoC is also
under active consideration in European countries. Prof M Martellini, a
physicist at the University of Insubria at Como, Italy and Dr AH Nayyar, a
physicist at the Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad and coordinator of the
Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC), had been supporting the Straw Formula,
suggesting formation of an international helicopter-borne force to monitor
infiltration along the LoC.

In their joint appeal Nayyar and Martellini argue the helicopter force
should be acceptable to both India and Pakistan on the basis of four core
reasons: (1) Pakistan will need a monitoring mechanism to show that it does
not support the infiltration of insurgents. (2) The presence of an external
monitoring force would ensure India does not wage a war on that frontier.
(3) India would also achieve the objective that an external insurgency-based
policy not be pursued in Kashmir, stopping infiltration altogether. (4) And
above all it would provide the two countries with an exit strategy, always
needed in a situation of conflict.

Both the scholars insist the US and Europe should go ahead with the proposal
even if India does not agree to it. "The proposal is to build an
international helicopter-borne force on the Pakistani side of the LoC alone,
if any other bilateral arrangement is not possible, to monitor any
infiltration of insurgents across the LoC, reporting to India and Pakistan
and to the relevant international community body involved," the movers of
the joint appeal promoting Straw Formula argue.

prakaash selvaraj

Pakistan has repeatedly refused joint patrolling with Indian forces to curb
cross border terrorists.
v


And


proposal


alone,

509772

I nevern saw two going for a walk together if a divorce case is in
the court.

A neutral independent body is needed to quell all allegations of
infiltration but India is afraid , this may show the whole world,
Kashmir movement is indiginous and genuine.

No movement can last this long only on "phoren" infiltrators .

seeker

Well said! I think this may be pearl before a swine though. Hindus on these
groups being the swines.

prabhu srinivas

Yup. We know what happened to East Pakistan and Bangladesh. We are afraid.

Pakis seem to love Laloo. Why? Why on earth!!!

Love,
Prabhu.


--
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seeker

Prabhu, East Pakistan is Bangladesh today. What happened to BD is the same
story of what happened to India and Pakistan. When India and Pakistan didn't
want to live under the British rule, they gained independence. Same goes for
BD. There are a lot of states and people in India who would like to gain
independence from India, but they aren't as lucky as Bangladesh. So, you are
right, you should be afraid of this phenomenon.


As I have said elsewhere, it is rare to see an Indian politician bring a
message of peace and harmony. On the surface at least, Laloo's intentions seem good.

torquenson

We can see that you two Muslim terrorist get along just nicely.

gazi_baba_1971

This news article is a piece of sham! European army going to monitor
Indo-Pak border whether India likes it or not?? What are you smoking
man? The Europeans have far better things to do with their time and
money than to monitor this border. Besides these days European armies
are just good enough for parades they don't have much conflict
experience. Not to mention the public opinion will forbid any effort
by the government to put European soldiers lives in harms way.

Gazi Baba 1971

g_prabhu_srinivas

When India didn't want to live under British rule, they had an
internal feud that resulted in India and Pakistan. Sometimes people
say that the economic prosperity of the South would impact the
"federal structure" of India. Right now everything seems to be
hunky-dory - except in Kashmir, which might not be a part of India
anyway. Some Punjabis in Canada and UK might want Punjab to become
independent, but that's about it. Sometimes the Nagas and the Bodos
stir up a few things. But dunno when and where the nextright to
self-determination movement in India will start!