The Hindu : Talks difficult: Musharraf

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 22, 2002

Front Page

Front Page

Talks difficult: Musharraf
By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 21. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, today said that while Pakistan was in favour of resuming a dialogue with India, it was not possible without defusing tensions on the borders.

In an informal talk with journalists at a convocation ceremony here, Gen. Musharraf said initiating a dialogue under the present conditions had become difficult as the situation on the borders was bad.Stating that de-escalation on the borders was the first step towards resuming the dialogue, Gen. Musharraf said he was of the view that any movement towards the dialogue should include talks on Kashmir.

Pakistan's readiness to hold talks should not be mistaken as a sign weakness, he said. ``If I talk of dialogue with good intention, it should not be construed that as a weakness.''

In response to a question he said, ``we should not be always talking of de-escalation as Pakistan does not face any problems on the borders. If Indian forces are there, Pakistan forces are also there. There is no problem at all,'' he said. He reiterated the Pakistan position that bilateralism had failed and time had come for mediation or facilitation by a third party. He was of the view that the U.S. as the sole superpower could play an important role for beginning the process of dialogue.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

Heavy to moderate turnout in Uttar Pradesh, Manipur

Exit polls predict hung Assembly in U.P.

India hopes UAE will deport Iqbal Mirchi

Talks difficult: Musharraf

I did not say it: PM

Pact at hand in Sri Lanka

INSAT 3C operational

Copter crashes

Jagpravesh Chandra dead

No curbs on travel: WHO

Plague will not spread, says Thakur