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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (44562)	9/10/2003 3:47:49 AM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 50167

Israel helping India ‘tackle’ Pakistan * Sharon warns Europe on ‘laxity’ in containing Islamic extremism * Says Tel Aviv, New Delhi have ‘common problems like terrorism’ By Iftikhar Gilani NEW DELHI: Israel warned Europe on Tuesday for its “laxity” in containing Islamic extremism and said Tel Aviv was strengthening India to tackle Pakistan and militancy in Held Kashmir. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, on a landmark visit to India, offered to make what he called “painful concessions” for peace in the Middle East. “My government is prepared to make painful concessions for the sake of peace, but will understandably not compromise on the security of its citizens,” he said in a message soon after his reception at the presidential palace. Sharon hailed the strategic importance of growing ties with India. “We are very much interested in developing and strengthening relations with India,” Sharon told reporters. “We regard India to be one of the most important countries in the world; we share our belief in democracy and I hope that my visit here will contribute in strengthening our relations with India and developing them,” said Sharon, who is leading a 150-strong delegation, including leading Israeli arms dealers, to India. “We have old relations,” Vajpayee said. “A new shape is being given to these relations. It is a historic visit and I am confident it will bring the two countries closer.”" Prime Minister AB Vajpayee said he was confident Sharon’s visit would boost military and trade ties without diluting India’s support of the Palestinian cause. Israel also offered India help in training personnel and providing material for its fight against “Islamic terrorism”. “We can train and teach and supply materials we have developed in fighting terrorism. We have developed a very advanced technology,” Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Yosef Lapid told reporters. He said India and Israel had “mutual problems, like terrorism” and the two countries could aid each other. Both faced attacks from outside and also by “fanatic Muslims who want to destroy civilisation”, he said. He was critical of the European nations’ stance on terrorism. He said after the US it was time for Europe to be cautious and learn a “very bitter lesson”. “If they did not fight terrorism, they might fall prey to the menace in another five years,” he said. Warning that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons, he said the international community should make efforts to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear technology. Lapid supported the idea of opening a training institute in India with Israel for combating terrorism. He said there was more to military cooperation between the two countries than meets the eye. “It is an open secret that there is close cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence,” he said. “We are providing India with military technology and exchanging knowledge and information. We are not directly helping India in its relations with Pakistan, but I am sure we are strengthening your ability to deal with the problem,” he said in a reference to Indian charges of Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism directed against it. “It is in the mutual interest of both countries that details about arms procurement are not discussed in the open,” he added. Before meetings with senior Indian officials began, Sharon placed a wreath on the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. The global war against terrorism figured prominently in Sharon’s talks with Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha. The Israeli PM also called on Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam. www.dailytimes.com.pk