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26/11: PM says Pakistan hasn't helped enough
Press Trust of India, Monday November 23, 2009, Washington

Accusing Pakistan of not doing enough to bring to book the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said India does not know whom to deal with in Islamabad as the Army is the most powerful force in the neighbouring country.

"No, they (Pakistan) have not done enough," Singh said in an interview, just before leaving for America on the first State Visit of the Obama Administration.

"They have taken some steps. I have discussed this matter with (Pakistan) Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, when we met at Sharm al-Sheikh (in Egypt). The joint statement, that we issued, he assured us that Pakistan will do all that is possible to bring to justice the perpetrators of Mumbai massacre," he said.

"But it is our feeling that Pakistan has not done enough. Hafeez Saeed is roaming around freely. Maulana Azhar Masood and other terrorist elements, the Lashkar-e-Toiba, according to Pakistan's own admissions is actively involved in perpetrating massacre in Mumbai, they are moving around freely. The conspiracy took place in Pakistan," Singh said.

"So a friendly Pakistan, a government in Pakistan, which would be equally determined to tackle terrorism, would take the case to its logical conclusion. That is not happening," the Prime Minister said.

On Pakistan's objective in Afghanistan, Singh said that Islamabad's objective in the country does not appear to be "necessarily in harmony" with that of the United States.

"Pakistanis sometimes feel that the Americans are short time maximisers that if the pressure continue, they would not have the courage to stay there, they would walk away, that Afghanistan would become a backyard to Pakistan to influence its policies and programs," he said.

Referring to the recent statement of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the presence of Quetta Shoura in Pakistan, the Prime Minister said: "That is an indication of the things that are happening on the ground."

Asked if the Pak Army is serious in tackling the terrorist, Singh said he is not certain if the Pakistani Army will take on those elements.

"I think the most element force in Pakistan is the army. There is democracy. We would like democracy to succeed and flourish in Pakistan, but we have to recognise that the power today virtually rests with the Army," he said.

The Prime Minister said he does not think that India has a partner in Pakistan today.

"I do not think whether we have a partner right now. I think, when General Pervez Musharraf (was the President of Pakistan) I was to ask him and he said well I am the Army, I represent the armed forces, I represent the people. Now I do not know whom to deal with," he said.

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Posted by Subrata Datta on Nov 23, 2009
There he goes again - our PM I mean whining to the Americans what Pakistan did or did not do. For God's sake Manmohan Singh show some fighting spirit as a Sardarji at least and stop hanging on to Obama's coat tails. Since Subhash Bose no Indian leader worth his salt has shown any guts. Indira zapping Pakistan in 1971 was like a Goliath armed with a cannon against a David with his catapault. Subrata Datta
Posted by SHAHUL HAMEED A.V. on Nov 23, 2009
Pakistan will not help to nab Hafeez Said, the mastermind of Mumbai attack. Such a rouge country is not worth for peace talks. Manmohan Singh should take strong stand and get support from other countries.
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