NEW DELHI (PTI): Premier Rao Feb.7 said a mosque and a temple would be rebuilt at Ayodhya without committing himself to a timeframe and location and firmly told Pakistan to cease support to secessionism and terrorism before bilateral problems could be tackled under the Shimla Accord. Participating in “phone in” interview by the BBC, Rao said the govt. was in the process of setting up two trusts for the construction of the temple and the mosque. The proposed trusts for the purpose will have to choose the site and finalize the modalities, said Rao, squarely blaming the then BJP govt. in Uttar Pradesh for not heeding the Center’s advice to use force to prevent the December 6 demolition.
Answering a wide range of questions he spoke of improvement in relations with China, India’s commitment to unity and integrity of Sri Lanka, “irreversible” economic reforms, the question of nuclear disarmament, future of SAARC and job reservation.
Rao emphasized the democratic process would start in Kashmir, as was “successfully” done in Punjab once the Government manages to control terrorist activities in the valley.
“Kashmir is part of India. The Kashmiris want to remain with India,” he said.
Rao admitted there had been a slowdown in the economic reform process during the last two months.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 12, 1993
