The Hindu : Situation dangerous, says Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 14, 2002

International

International

Situation dangerous, says Pakistan

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD May 13. Pakistan today described the situation between India and Pakistan as `dangerous' and reiterated its call for peace and de-escalation of tension as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina Rocca, was scheduled to arrive here on Wednesday.

The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Aziz Ahmed Khan, told a news conference here that ``Pakistan does not want war, we are working for peace and will continue to strive for peace and de-escalation of tension (with India)''.

Ms. Rocca was scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday before flying to Islamabad.

Mr. Khan claimed that her visit was a fallout of the diplomatic efforts of Islamabad. ``Pakistan always stood for peace, de-escalation of tension and withdrawal of forces to peace-time locations, resolution of all disputes through peaceful means and any effort in this regard is always welcome,'' he said.

At the same time he stated in categorical terms that Pakistan was fully capable of defending its territory.

Ms. Rocca, he said, would arrive here on May 15 and the ``regional situation will be very much the subject of talks.'' In response to a question, the spokesman said, there were no behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to defuse the tension in South Asia and everything was being done in public.

On the Indo-U.S. joint military exercises, he said they were `small level' ones and would not in any way affect Pakistan-U.S. relations.

Asked about the reported pressure from Washington on the Musharraf Government to launch operations in the tribal areas of Pakistan in search of Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters, the spokesman said as a member of the international cooperation, Islamabad was doing everything to tackle the problem of terrorism.

When a correspondent referred to a report in the Washington Post about the reported displeasure of the Bush administration over `non co-operation' of Islamabad in searching Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters, Mr. Khan urged correspondents not to be guided by media reports.

``Repeatedly the Bush administration has expressed its appreciation of the role played by Pakistan as a partner of the international coalition against terrorism''.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

Stories in this Section

Situation dangerous, says Pakistan

Bush, Putin to sign arms pact

U.N. to discuss Iraqi sanctions

No deal with LTTE without people's consent: Ranil

Third candidate enters German poll fray

Labour under pressure to return donation

Chinese Foreign Minister visiting Pakistan

India, Bangladesh to jointly protect Sunderbans

`Musharraf has failed to tackle terrorist menace'

Terrorists planning to attack Three Mile Island: report

Khaleda Zia hospitalised