Musharraf fed up with making overtures to India

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 13 The Pakistani Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has said he is `fed up' with the number of offers made for talks with India and the ``lack of response'' from the neighbour.

In an interview to the BBC, Gen. Musharraf said as there was no response from India, there was little scope for any improvement in relations between the two countries.

``I have been making formal offer of talks so many times that I am really fed up with it. I am now expecting some response from the other side, which is not coming. Hence the status quo,'' the BBC quoted him as saying.

Gen. Musharraf has conceded that relations between the neighbours have deteriorated since the military takeover in Pakistan in October last and this could be attributed to his military background.

Gen. Musharraf ruled out the possibility of holding of general elections or restoration of the suspended National and Provincial Assemblies. The Supreme Court has set an October 2002 deadline for the military to restore civilian rule.

``I am not going to have any elections earlier than the deadline certainly, because many people are saying this time is very short and so I would not like to shorten it further. Restoration of Assemblies is not in the realm of possibility really.''

Gen. Musharaff has said he is prepared to talk to leaders of political leaders but they are ``too divided'' to come to a consensus.

In another development, the visiting Malaysian Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, has urged Pakistan and India to enter into a dialogue.

``The Kashmir issue could only be resolved through dialogue and you cannot begin to find a solution unless the two countries are able to come to the table. As important countries in South Asia, Pakistan and India have to play their role in ensuring peace and stability in the region,'' he told reporters at a news conference, which was attended by the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdus Sattar.

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Section  : International
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