[sacw] Urgent Press Release from MIND (India)

[Harsh Kapoor]

May 28 1999
Posted below is an important press release from Movement in India for
Nuclear Disarmament (MIND) following hightened tension between Indian &
Pakistan armed forces.
Harsh Kapoor
(South Asians Against Nukes)
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PRESS RELEASE my Movement in India for Nuclear Disarmament (MIND)
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The present escalation of hostilities and actual engagement between
Pakistani and Indian forces has the potential to snowball into a major
conflict. This is the first occasion when engagement of this kind has taken
place between the two countries since the 1971 Indo-Pak war. That it is
happening today when the sub-continent is under a nuclear shadow, makes the
situation especially alarming for people on both sides of the border. When
the two countries had conducted nuclear tests a year ago, it was claimed by
both Govts. that this would actually work towards stabilising the security
climate in the region.

The recent spate of hostilities, barely 3 months after the Lahore
declaration, shows how fragile the security climate in the region actually
is. What makes the situation doubly dangerous is the fact that the
legitimacy of both Governments, at this point of time, is seriously
compromised. While legitimate security concerns need to be addressed, there
is absolutely no room for military adventurism under the looming threat of a
nuclear shadow. Violation of the Line of Control by either side should be
avoided at all costs. It is of critical importance that both sides excercise
utmost restraint, work towards cessation of hostilities immediately and
press for a peaceful settlement of disputes.

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