The Hindu : Laying conditions for talks not healthy: Haass

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2003

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Laying conditions for talks not healthy: Haass

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD Jan. 7. While stating that ``normality'' in Indo-Pakistan ties is ``not impossible,'' Richard N. Haass, Director, Policy Planning Staff, U.S. Department of State, today said that India, like Pakistan, had an interest in removing conditions for a dialogue. Mr. Haass was speaking on "The United States and India - a transformed relationship,'' at the Partnership Summit here. While he appreciated India's disinclination for a dialogue with Pakistan as long as terrorism emanated from its territory, he said such a position did not provide the basis for a sound, long-term policy to deal with its neighbour.

The time or type of solution to the Kashmir problem could not be predicted but the continued sanctity of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir would have to be ensured by all. The U.S. would continue to urge the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, to permanently end infiltration in Kashmir. Pakistan, he said, must realise that infiltration was killing its hopes for a settlement on Kashmir.

India, on the other hand, should acknowledge "positive" developments such as Pakistan's measures against the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Gen. Musharraf's "vision" of a reformed Pakistan, and the emergence of a civilian leadership, he said adding that New Delhi should look for opportunities to reach out to and reinforce the new civilian Government in Islamabad.

In the absence of minimal lines of communication, tension between India and Pakistan constantly risked sparking a "broader conflict" with potentially cataclysmic consequences for the two countries and the South Asian region. Even at the height of the Cold War, Washington and Moscow had retained ambassadors.

Mr. Haass said the elections in Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi's commitment to holding a dialogue with the State Government and others in the Valley were important steps towards a solution.

Examining the Indo-U.S. ties and policy in relation to various global developments, he was appreciative of India's role in dealing with global terrorism, the Afghan situation, etc. With respect to Iraq, he said "if force proves necessary (in Iraq), we would hope that the U.S. could turn to India for assistance in meeting not only immediate needs, but also addressing the humanitarian, political and economic challenges that will follow.''

On Indo-U.S. business links, he said that they continued to be under-developed and that the U.S. trade with India remained paltry. With its vast resources, India ought to be a ``magnet'' for investment, but it often lost out to China and other parts of Asia as far as investments from America were concerned. He was all praise for India's outstanding IT sector.

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