Pak. hopeful of Clinton visit

MUZAFFARABAD (PoK), FEB. 5. The Pakistani military ruler, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, said here today there were ``indications'' that the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, would include Pakistan in his South Asia itinerary.

``There are indications, contacts are underway,'' Gen. Musharraf told reporters in response to a question whether he was hopeful of a visit by Mr. Clinton.

An official announcement in Washington on Tuesday said that Mr. Clinton would visit India and Bangladesh in his tour, starting March 20, adding that no decisions had been taken about other stops. Islamabad has said it would be regrettable if the U.S. President were not to visit Pakistan.

Gen. Musharraf alleged that India could get wrong ideas and further build up tension along the Line of Control in Kashmir if the U.S. President omitted Pakistan from the tour. ``We have conveyed our concerns to the U.S. that India may be encouraged in her designs and may escalate tensions in Kashmir,'' he said.

Mr. Clinton had set up the South Asia tour to promote peace and stability in the region and if he did not visit Pakistan it would become counter-productive, Gen. Musharraf said.

- AFP

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