Pak. presence not must in initial talks: Sattar

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, DEC. 24. The Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, has indicated that Pakistan would not insist on its involvement in talks on Kashmir at the initial stage itself. In an interview to an Islamabad-based magazine, The Voice, the Minister was quoted as saying: ``India should invite Hurriyat leaders for a discussion that will be preparatory to the Pakistan-India dialogue.''

This stand is consistent with the December 2 statement where Pakistan had urged India to invite the leadership of the All- Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) for a dialogue in New Delhi and appealed to India to allow them to travel to Pakistan for separate discussions with the Pakistani Government.

The December 2 formulation is a change from its earlier insistence of a dialogue right at the initial stage. The Minister said Pakistan was encouraged by signals from the Indian Government that it may not averse to the idea of letting the APHC leaders travel to Islamabad.

In the interview, he spoke of a three-stage framework for talks. ``First, stabilising the ceasefire at the LoC (Line of Control). Secondly, a preparatory process that involves the Hurriyat Conference in a process of dialogue with India and Pakistan. The third is a dialogue to find a solution to the Kashmir problem acceptable to the people of Kashmir.''

In another interview to a Pakistani news agency, the Minister said that the signs emanating from New Delhi on the Kashmir issue were encouraging.

He has said though India has not formally approached Islamabad with any offer or its desire to hold talks, since Pakistan favoured A peaceful end to Kashmir problem, it takes any encouraging sign from New Delhi as a good omen for the return of peace in the region.

Noting that India was moving in a positive direction towards the resumption of talks with Pakistan, he said Kashmir would be the core issue in any negotiation. The Minister said that the guns have fallen silent on the LoC and a war-like atmosphere did not exist any longer.

Mr. Sattar claimed that Pakistani troops on the LoC only retaliated in self-defence and had never fired without provocation. He said the partial withdrawal of Pakistani troops from the LoC is to be completed in a week. ``This step by Pakistan would put tremendous pressure on India to reciprocate and cut the size of troops in Kashmir. Pakistan is in touch with important capitals in this connection.''

He said the United States had hailed Pakistan's decision to partially withdraw its forces from the LoC and the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Robin Cook, has sent him a letter appreciating the gesture.

Mr. Sattar has said that Pakistan would accord a warm welcome to the APHC delegation. During its stay in Pakistan, the APHC delegation would hold talks with leaders of other militant organisations, the Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf and other important leaders, he said.

We could talk to militants too: Advani

NEW DELHI, DEC. 24. The Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, today indicated the possibility of talks with militant organisations such as the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and did not rule out dialogue with Pakistan after an ``assessment'' of its behaviour during the extended ceasefire peace initiative in Jammu and Kashmir.

``That possibility is there,'' he said about the chances of the Centre starting a dialogue with militant groups in the State in the wake of its peace measures.

In an interview to PTI, the Minister said the situation with regard to the ceasefire would be reviewed after the Republic Day when the extension is set to end.

On the possibility of talks with militant groups, Mr. Advani said, ``I would like to emphasise that dialogue with our people in Jammu and Kashmir would naturally have to include all sections such as the ruling National Conference, the main Opposition Congress, the BJP and leftists and representatives from Jammu and Ladakh.

``And if militant organisations such as the Hizb are prepared to lay down arms and become part of the dialogue, they are also welcome,'' the Home Minister said.

``The Hurriyat Conference must realise this. They have been issuing statements as if they are the sole representatives of the people of the State.''

He maintained that resumption of the stalled dialogue with Pakistan was contingent upon Islamabad stopping support and assistance to cross-border terrorism in India.

Asked whether this ruled out talks with Pakistan in the immediate future, he said, ``We don't say that.'' The ceasefire initiative, he said, has been taken in a manner to allow the Government to make an assessment of situation on the ground especially with regard to Pakistan's behaviour.

``First, when the ceasefire was announced in November end, the initiative had a fixed time limit. Now it is open-ended. By one month what happens on the ground will be reviewed by the Government.

``The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has already stated that the External Affairs Ministry will explore the possibility (of resumption of talks),'' he said.

Saying Islamabad has been feeling the ``pinch'' of isolation, the Minister said, ``If it earnestly desires peace, there should be evidence of it.''

He made light of the Pakistani announcement about the pullback of its troops from the LoC saying the Government was more concerned about Islamabad's involvement in cross-border terrorism.

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