'Clinton can facilitate Indo-Pak. talks'

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, MARCH 12. In calling the U.S. President's coming visit to Pakistan as a recognition of the importance of that country, the 52-year-old friendship and the ``righteousness'' of the stand on Kashmir, the Pakistani military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, has said Mr. Bill Clinton could facilitate a dialogue between India and Pakistan.

During an interview to Newsweek magazine's contributing editor, Ms. Lally Weymouth, the Pakistani leader was asked about what he hoped to achieve during the President's visit and also whether Mr. Clinton had endorsed his position on Kashmir.

``I am extremely pleased that the President has finally decided to visit Pakistan. This is a recognition of the importance Pakistan has in the region, of the 52-year-old friendship we have with the U.S. and of the righteousness of our stand on Kashmir. He (Mr. Clinton) has said he is not going to mediate on Kashmir, but (he can) facilitate a dialogue between India and Pakistan,'' the General said.

Calling Kashmir a disputed territory, he said, ``every Muslim around here is talking of a jihad against India in Kashmir because Kashmir is not India. It is a disputed territory.''

Gen. Musharraf said India was not only refusing to discuss the ``main'' issue of Kashmir but putting forth all kinds of excuses. While maintaining that the tensions on the Line of Control would not get out of hand, Gen. Musharraf said this was because India knew ``there is a deterrence in place on our side''.

The Pakistani military ruler who ousted the civilian government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif denied he was the architect of Kargil conflict. ``No. A democratic government was in place. Whatever happened was the government's decision.''

Gen. Musharraf's response to questions on terrorism, the role of the Inter-Services Intelligence, and the kind of influence or hold Pakistan had over the Taliban in Afghanistan were along expected lines. ``I give full assurance that no group on Pakistan's soil is involved in terrorism.'' he said.

Pointing out that his ``control'' over the ISI was ``absolute and total'' and that it was not running a government of its own, Gen. Musharraf insisted that the Harkat-ul- Mujahideen, identified by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organisation, was not a terrorist outfit.

On Osama bin Laden and whether Islamabad could pressure the Taliban to hand him over to the U.S., Gen. Musharraf said, ``the Taliban have their own reasons for allowing him sanctuary in Afghanistan. If anyone thinks we can order the Taliban around, he is wrong... The Taliban activity is being branded as terrorism which it is not. But there may be groups that are training to carry on militancy. That is where we need to crack down.''

Vajpayee rules out war

On the occasion of Mr. Clinton's visit to South Asia, Newsweek also interviewed the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, who said there was ``no possibility'' of a nuclear war over Kashmir. ``There is no possibility. I completely rule out a nuclear war,'' he said adding that until Jammu and Kashmir was recognised as an integral part of India, there could be no enduring solution.

Arguing that messages were not necessary but ``action'' was in starting talks between India and Pakistan, the Prime Minister said, ``no more terrorism and a commitment that all problems, including Kashmir, will be solved by peaceful means''.

The issue of India signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was under discussion and a consensus was being evolved, he added. ``First, all the nations which matter the most have to sign the treaty. That has not happened as yet. The vote in the U.S. Senate came as a negative development so far as the people of India are concerned.''

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