WASHINGTON, JANUARY 28: The United States has toughened its stand against Pakistan following a crackdown on the judiciary in Islamabad on Wednesday and the military dictatorship's belligerence over issues like terrorism and a return to democracy.In issuing a generic warning that "any country in the world should know that if we determine that they have provided support to terrorism in a repeated basis" they are can be designated a state sponsor of terrorism, US officials on Thursday hinted darkly that Pakistan may be pushing its luck with its continued patronage of militants and its dalliance with the Taleban in Afghanistan.While giving this reality check to Islamabad, US officials also reiterated- as they have been doing throughout this week- that certain Pakistani agencies are in cahoots with terrorists. There was also a suggestion that Washington was more concerned about Islamabad's nexus with the jehadists in Afghanistan than its backing for the militants in Kashmir, which was more in the nature of"general support".At the state department briefing, spokesman James Rubin said the US had "very strong concerns" over "disturbing reports we have received about terrorism" particularly Pakistan's nexus with Osama bin Laden.Asked in this context about the ties between the Pakistani intelligence services and the Harkat ul-Mujaheddin, Rubin said "there have been some links (with the Pakistani intelligence) providing general support to a number of groups operating in Kashmir, including this one."Q: Is there more concern there than "general" would suggest?A: If the Secretary of State determined that a government has repeatedly provided support of international terrorism directly, then she would be prepared to designate that country as a state sponsor of terrorism. I hope that's responsive to your question.Q: This hasn't reached that level?A: We have not so designated.Q: Is that a veiled threat?A: No, that's a comment aboutrealities. And I was asked a specific question about it.Rubin again said the US had reason to believe the hijackers of the Indian Airlines plane were affiliated with the Harkat ul-Mujaheddin which has been designated a foreign terrorist organisation in the US. Harkat's activities "have received the highest possible condemnation from this government."Asked about speeches in Pakistan calling for a Holy War against India, Rubin said "that kind of incendiary rhetoric only harms the chances for all the people in the region to achieve their legitimate needs."The remarks on terrorism were preceded by a strong condemnation from the Clinton administration of Gen. Musharraf's order forcing the Pakistani higher judiciary to take a new loyalty oath and sacking judges who did not. Rubin said the US "deplored" the order and described it as a "step backward" in the move towards reestablishing a civilian democratic rule.But so desperate is the administration to remain engaged and not let Pakistan spiral down thepath of self-destruction that even in the face of the latest aggravation Rubin maintained that "because it's a backward step does not mean that General Musharraf will not proceed down the path towards civilian democratic rule." In this context, the US official kept a small window of hope for a Presidential stopover in Islamabad saying the administration was still weighing what was the best way for the US to advance its national interest - by going to Pakitan or by avoiding it. He suggested that even if the President did stopover in Islamabad, it would be only in US national interest and "we are not conducting business as usual with Pakistan."
