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Indian measures cosmetic: Pak.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD JULY 9. Pakistan today insisted that de-escalation of tension on the border with India was possible only if New Delhi withdrew its forces to peacetime locations and simultaneous commencement of a meaningful dialogue process to address all outstanding disputes including Kashmir.

Addressing a news conference, the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Aziz Ahmed Khan, reiterated that the measures taken by India on June 9 were "minor and cosmetic" and would not help defuse the tension.

``So long as the Indian forces are deployed in forward and threatening posture... tension will remain high. It is better that forces are withdrawn to their peacetime locations as quickly as possible. We firmly believe that the time is ripe for addressing all issues between Pakistan and India, particularly Kashmir, in a serious, meaningful and purposeful manner.''

Mr. Khan said continued presence of forces could lead to any accident, leading to tragic consequences for the people of Pakistan and India and for the entire region. On the statement of the Indian Foreign Office spokesperson that New Delhi's offer for joint patrol was still valid, the spokesman maintained that the Indian Defence Minister, George Fernandes, had noted that "under the current circumstances it was not a workable proposition".

``This vindicates the position of Pakistan. India mooted such a proposal in the past and Islamabad had rejected it for specific reasons. In any case, such proposals are not put forth through the media. They have to be made in talks across the table. Pakistan is ready for talks with India on all issues.''

Asked about the statement of the British Defence Secretary during his recent visit to New Delhi that cross-border infiltration from the Pakistan side was a matter of concern, he asserted that there was no infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC) from the Pakistan side. Mr. Khan said Pakistan had been in favour of monitoring of the border by observers of the United Nations or any other third country to check the veracity of allegations on cross-border infiltration. "We categorically reject all charges of infiltration. Islamabad has been explaining to all the dignitaries who have been engaged in defusing the Indo-Pak standoff in recent weeks that there was no truth in the allegations of infiltration''.

On the coming election in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the "present turmoil in the Valley is the result of previous fraudulent polls. In no election has the turnout been more than three to four per cent. We firmly believe that no election in Jammu and Kashmir could be a substitute to the United Nations resolutions on plebiscite''.

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