October 18, 2002	Friday	Sha'aban 11, 1423

SRINAGAR, Oct 17: Occupied Kashmir’s outgoing leader Farooq Abdullah said on Thursday that Pakistan was rejoicing at his party’s defeat in elections and New Delhi’s withdrawal of troops.

“Two good steps have taken place: Farooq Abdullah has been removed and so have been the troops along the borders,” the chief minister said sarcastically at a news conference in Srinagar.

“Pakistan will be happy that Farooq Abdullah is no more,” he said. “Their (Pakistan’s) way is clear now.”

Abdullah said the troop presence here was “necessary because in (occupied) Jammu and Kashmir troops cannot be reduced under any circumstances”.

“There is terrorism in Kashmir, and terrorists will come, and we will have to face them and that is why we need the army here,” he said.

Abdullah is one of Pakistan’s most vociferous critics, often calling for military action across the Line of Control against alleged training camps.

Abdullah said he told Saxena he would refuse to serve as interim leader after Thursday midnight.

“I explained to him very clearly that I have no intention of continuing as a caretaker chief minister,” said Farooq Abdullah. —AFP