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Rocca confident sanctions
against India will go

United States of America's Assistant Secretary of State Christina B Rocca on Thursday expressed confidence that though proliferation concerns remain, the sanctions imposed on India will be lifted after a review and consultations with Congress.

"I believe we will get through the sanctions" imposed on India after the 1998 nuclear tests, she told reporters at the Foreign Press Centre of the state department in Washington.

"This (lifting of sanctions) will happen after the current review and consultations with Congress," she said.

Rocca, who is leaving on Saturday for a visit to India, Pakistan and Nepal, made it clear that some of the sanctions imposed against Pakistan will have to remain until full democracy is restored in the country.

"These are sanctions imposed by Congress where democracy has been suppressed and President George W Bush has no authority to waive them," she said adding that the US has told Pakistan military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf so and asked him for a road map on how he proposes to restore full democracy.

Rocca said the priority of the Bush Administration was to broaden the relationship with India on all fronts, and to treat relations with each State in the (South Asian) region bilaterally without reference to a third country in the region or China.

"That," she said, "was demonstrated by the unprecedented welcome extended by the White House to External Affairs and Defence Minister Jaswant Singh and Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage's trip to New Delhi to talk about the strategic framework."

Rocca will be in India for two days starting Saturday during which she will hold extensive consultations with her counterpart in the external affairs ministry, Jayant Prasad, joint secretary (Americas).

She will call on External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and have meetings with prime minister's Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra and Foreign Secretary Chokila Iyer. The outcome of the Agra summit is likely to figure prominently during her parleys.

Stating that the US has serious strategic and economic and natural ties with India, Rocca said "The oldest democracy in the world and the biggest democracy in the world have a lot in common and, in fact, have natural ties. It has taken us too long to pick up on that."

"It started in the previous administration. We want to continue that transformation in that relationship. It is not directed at any other country. It is just a natural evolution of two democracies that have a lot in common."

Describing the Agra summit a success, Rocca hoped Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Musharraf would meet again during the United Nations (UN) session and the deputy foreign minister or foreign ministers of the two countries would also be meeting. "We think the fact that discussions are taking place marks progress."

"They will help relations in the region. They will also help resolve the outstanding issues between the two countries. The United States is not involved in these negotiations and won't be unless asked by both sides."

On the US stand on Kashmir, she said "The issue should be resolved between India and Pakistan, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people."

To a question whether the US believes that Pakistan is supporting cross-border terrorism, Rocca said "Terrorism worldwide is obviously of great concern to the US. We see the entire issue of terrorism and counter-terrorism as an important one in South Asia. We continue to talk to both governments about it. We take the position that it is in the interests of Pakistan to work with us as well."

She said the US has a counter-terrorism working group with India, which is very efficient and effective and moving forward very nicely.

"President Bush has identified enhanced relations as a priority for his administration. India has both strategic and economic importance to the United States. We want to improve our bilateral trade and many other things," Rocca said.

Describing India as a 'major player', she said "We will be continuing our senior level dialogue at all levels and we want to broaden that relationship on all fronts."

Rocca said she would be meeting with her counterparts in India, Pakistan and Nepal and consulting with her colleagues in the US embassies and consulates in those countries.

"I will be putting this information to use as soon as I return to Washington," she said. "This administration believes that the US has an important political and economic interests in South Asia. We are in the process of formulating the policies that will be in line with those interests and what I bring back from South Asia will be an input to that process."

"I will tell my hosts that we are committed to working together with South Asian countries to promote greater stability and security in the region; to increase prosperity, standards of living and levels of trade with the US."

"We want to have bilateral relationships that are truly bilateral. We do not intend to view relations with one country through the prism of a third country. This administration is serious about engaging with the region."

She said recent events in the region highlighted the difficulties it faces, but there is potential for progress.

"The just-concluded India-Pakistan summit should not be seen as a failure but as a first step in a difficult and lengthy process. Both countries have indicated they want to continue the dialogue aimed at reducing tensions and resolving their differences. We strongly support sustained engagement between India and Pakistan," she added.

Referring to Afghanistan, she said the US is very concerned about the continuing harbouring of terrorist groups by the Taleban. "This is a threat to all countries, including Afghanistan's neighbours."

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