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CNN Live At Daybreak

India Accuses Pakistan of Terrorism, U.S. of Hypocracy

Aired October 25, 2001 - 05:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A bitter struggle between Pakistan and India over Kashmir. It's complicating things in the current war on terrorism. Kashmir, for your information, lies between Pakistan and India in the Himalaya Mountain - Himalaya Mountains.

CNN's Maria Ressa reports that Pakistan, which is helping the United States to fight terrorism also at the same time is being accused of conducting terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Foiled suicide attacks by militants this week on an Indian air base in Kashmir. A Pakistani based group claimed responsibility. This follows the October 1 suicide bomb on the Chandigarh legislature which killed 38 people.

New Delhi says Pakistan even as it's helping the United States, continues to fund and train militants who commit terrorist acts in Kashmir. Pakistan says it provides what it calls freedom fighters diplomatic and moral support only.

BRAHMA CHELLANEY, POLITICAL ANALYST: The fact that the level of terrorist violence has not lowered, adds to this public concern and anger over Pakistan's new rule.

RESSA: From India's defense minister, an accusation the U.S. is being hypocritical in its treatment of Pakistan.

GEORGE FERNANDES, INDIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: Either one is right or one is wrong. Either there is Pakistani terrorist activity still on in India or it is not wrong.

RESSA: George Fernandes took office on October 15th. That night, the Indian military fired across the line of control in what it termed a preemptive move. The next day Fernandes announced his ruthless and proactive policy in dealing with terrorists, a change from his predecessor, Jaswant Singh, who had handled defense in addition to his main responsibility, foreign affairs.

M.D. NALAPAT, MILITARY ANALYST: The changes that was Jaswant Singh was temporary defense minister. He was more interested in the foreign reaction to Indian actions, and now George Fernandes is looking at what we need in India without bothering too much about foreign reaction. RESSA: Still India makes it clear it will not cross the line of control in pursuit of militants.

(on camera): With attacks continuing and casualties increasing in Kashmir, there's a growing sense of frustration here the U.S. is concerned only with its own interest in this war on terrorism. India points out you can't defeat terrorism until you strike it in all its forms.

Maria Ressa, CNN, New Delhi.

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