UNI
The Pioneer
July 4, 1999
Title: Vajpayee accuses Pak for blatant betrayal Author: UNI Publication: The Pioneer Date: July 4, 1999 Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has ruled out the possibility of formation of a national Government in the face of the Kargil crisis saying running such a Government would be a very difficult proposition. In an interview to journalist Kanhaiya Lal Nandan, he was asked if a national Government would function well in the country. Mr Vajpayee said, "it would function only if it is formed. It will not be formed. Some would say they would not go with BJP, some would have reservations on being a partner of Shiv Sena. With each one trying to pull it in its own direction, how will such a Government function?" When the interviewer said that multi-party coalition Governments had not suited the country with its many problems, the Prime Minister replied, "despite this, a demand is raised for the formation of a national Government. Forming a Government is easy (though Congress could not do even that) but running such a Government is a very difficult proposition." When reminded of the solidarity shown by other parties on the Kargil issue, Mr Vajpayee said, "still a demand is being raised for convening a Rajya Sabha session." Asked whether it would be proper to convene such a session, he said, "I have made it clear if there is a consensus, convene it." The Prime Minister charged Pakistan with "blatant betrayal", saying, "if Islamabad really had a point of dispute regarding the Line of Control, it should have raised it during my visit to Lahore. "But instead of doing so, Pakistan systematically executed a plan of intrusion in Kargil. It is blatant betrayal. We went with a message of friendship but they acted with a mala fide intention." Asserting that Pakistan had been completely isolated on the Kargil issue, the Prime Minister disagreed with a suggestion that the US had not been firm enough in asking Pakistan to withdraw intruders. "No, no, they have been asking Pakistan again and again. On this issue, Pakistan has been completely isolated," he said. Mr Vajpayee said the visit of External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh to China had a positive impact after certain remarks of Defence Minister George Fernandes had soured the Sino-Indian relationship. "China has shown maturity on the issue. The visit of Jaswant Singhji had a good effect," he added. To another question whether the move by the US would lead to third party mediation, the Prime Minister said the US knew it well that India would not accept third party mediation on this issue. "I have also made it clear that no talks with Pakistan are possible until it withdraws the intruders or we drive them out," he said. When the interviewer said that unrestrained utterance of Mr George Fernandes had cost his Government dearly, Mr Vajpayee said, "he is now exercising restraint. In fact, he has also been misunderstood." He reiterated that Mr Fernandes had been quoted out of context on the issue of providing a safe passage to intruders. Similarly, the media had created a misunderstanding over the Army Chief Gen V P Malik's remarks on the issue of crossing the LoC. "The Army Chief was right in saying that a decision on this would have to be taken by the political leadership of the country." Prime Minister said he did not think that India would "need to cross the LoC" and if a "war is fully thrust on us, we would give a befitting reply." When pointed out that India's restraint was proving very costly for the jawans, Mr Vajpayee said the operation was being carried out as fast as possible under the existing circumstances. "Indian troops are forcing the intruders to retreat. It is the Pakistan army fighting on behalf of infiltrators and they are now finding it difficult even to escape. They are feeling restless," he added. The Prime Minister, however, said the operation would be a protracted one and agreed to a remark that he had to fight on two fronts, Kargil and Lok Sabha elections. "Had my suggestion been accepted, the elections would have been over by now," he said. But when the Election Commission said it was not possible to hold early elections, nobody could say anything more, Mr Vajpayee said. On reported differences within the BJP and between him and Mr L K Advani, the Prime Minister said, "it is nonsense." There were no differences of opinions though they had different styles of expressing them. This marks them out as different personalities. "He (Mr Advani) is different. His personality is different. To some extent he wants to appear different," he added. Asked if this conscious effort to appear as different was giving rise to misunderstanding, Mr Vajpayee said, "but it would be wrong not to view it in a proper way. It would be sheer injustice to seek Atal Bihari in Advani or to look for Advani in Atal Bihari." The Prime Minister said there was no truth in reports that the Sangh parivar was putting obstacles in his way of functioning. He was not one to give into pressures. Such reports were just "juicy gossip", the Prime Minister added.
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