Pakistan foreign ministry blasts departed U.S. ambassador

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan blasted America's recently departed ambassador to neighboring India on Monday, calling him "ill-informed" and "heartless" for alleging that Islamabad was allowing terrorist incursions into India's portion of disputed Kashmir.

Robert Blackwill, who stepped down as ambassador on Wednesday, became a "prejudiced" observer of the conflict between nuclear neighbors India and Pakistan, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Massood Khan.

"He is suffering from localitis," said Khan. "Mr. Blackwill seems to be ill-informed, he is prejudiced, and I think he is heartless because he is condoning the genocide of the Kashmiris, and how can he do that?"

Blackwill stepped down early from his post to return to Washington and work with National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice on matters connected to Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. No new ambassador has been named.

In an interview in his last week on the job, Blackwill warned of unspecified consequences if Pakistan fails to end incursions by Islamic guerrillas into the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.

"The problem persists ... There are still terrorists coming across the Line of Control," Blackwill said in an interview aired July 26 on New Delhi Television.

Source of tension

The former princely state has been the main source of tension between Pakistan and India since they gained independence from Britain in 1947. The two nations have fought two of three wars over the region, and nearly fought another last year following a deadly Dec. 13, 2001, attack on the Indian parliament by suspected Islamic militants.

More than 63,000 people have died since 1989, when Islamic militants began their insurgency to separate the region from India or merge it with Pakistan.

New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the militants, a charge Islamabad denies.

On Monday, Khan complained that "Indian leaders and Cabinet ministers are competing with each other in demonizing Pakistan."

Help in Iraq

Khan also reiterated at the weekly press briefing that Pakistan is considering sending peacekeeping troops to Iraq. He said the government had agreed "in principal" to send the troops.

"We would like to send the troops provided we have the cover of the United Nations or the Organization of the Islamic Conference" or another international organization.

Finally, Khan said his country is in discussions with other Muslim nations about the possibility of recognizing Israel.

"A debate has started which has broken the taboo of talking about starting a relationship with Israel," said Khan. "It couldn't be discussed openly and publicly before, but a healthy debate has now taken place in the media and academic circles. All the participants are looking at the pros and cons, the costs and benefits."