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Pallone, Ackerman condemn J&K massacre

Amberish K Diwanji

Gary Ackerman and Frank Pallone have criticised the massacre of Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it pointed to ethnic cleansing efforts to rid the state of all non-Muslims.

"I am extremely concerned at what has happened in Kashmir. This is not a random act of violence. It a predetermined effort to carry out ethnic cleansing and try to eradicate another community from the state," he declared.

Gary Ackerman is the chairman of the India Caucus in the Congress. A member of the House of Representative, he is among one of India's most vocal supporters in Washington DC.

Speaking to rediff.com on Wednesday he said the international community would not tolerate such acts of violence. "If their attempt is to get attention, they will not get any attention through such acts," he said.

Asked if this was an attempt to draw the United States into mediating in Kashmir during Clinton's visit, he replied: "The President will do what he has got to do...such tactics to draw attention will not work. We condemn international terrorism and acts of violence. The President was among the first to express concern at the incident," he added.

Frank Pallone, former head of the India Caucus and one of its founding members, too held similar views. He blasted the killings in Kashmir. "This is an attempt at ethnic cleansing and we are strongly opposed to it," he said, pointing out that after driving out Hindus from the valley, the militants now were turning their attention to Sikhs.

Commenting on the visit of the US President, Ackerman said it would help foster closer ties, especially in the realm of economics. "Nothing will come in the way of developing India-US ties," he stated emphatically.

"The President's visit is indicative of the fact that our relations will no longer be nuclear-centric but will be based on a broad pattern of ties," he said.

Did the India Caucus chief see a major hurdle in the disagreement over the nuclear issue?

"We have two major powers here who have their own perceptions about their security interests. Our view is that it would be advantageous for all nations of the world to do away with nuclear weapons. India, however, feels it needs some nuclear arms for its own interests," he said.

Ackerman pointed out that by meeting each other, these issue could be discussed. "And let's not make a big thing out of the nuclear issue. Even the US has not ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty," he pointed out.

What did he make of the US President going to Pakistan?

"I will not characterise it as a visit. The President is stopping by to deliver a message. This will be evident once the statement comes out," he said.

Ackerman said the President will stop over for about five hours. "He will make clear the US interest in seeing a return to democracy and resumption of dialogue betweeen India and Pakistan," he said.

Pallone said there were many who were opposed to the US President going to Islamabad. "I was one among them. But now that he has made up his mind, we are asking him to send across a strong message to Pakistan's ruler General Pervez Musharraf," said Pallone.

CLINTON VISITS INDIA:The complete coverage

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