Musharraf asks Vajpayee to display statesmanship

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 5. The Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has warned that there was a danger of India and Pakistan slipping back to their ``policy of confrontation'' if New Delhi continued to dither over the issuance of travel documents to the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders.

Speaking to journalists today after a `Kashmir solidarity day' speech at Muzaffarabad, capital of Pak-occupied Kashmir, he said recent initiatives had given an impetus to peace and if India did not take the next step, the momentum would end. He claimed that his recent telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, had broken the ice but at the same time maintained that the ball was in New Delhi's court to carry forward the peace process.

His speech to the gathering of ``refugees'' from the Kashmir was full of rhetoric on the unflinching support of Islamabad to the ``just struggle of Kashmiris for their right to self- determination'' but at the same time the military ruler was careful in avoiding any reference to ``jehad'' (holy war).

Observers pointed out that compared to his speech last year, the tone and tenor this year was moderate. A senior journalist observed that Gen. Musharraf had neither talked about militant organisations nor had he glorified ``jehad''.

The sum and substance of the theme chosen by the military leader for the occasion was that if New Delhi was really sincere in its efforts in resolving the Kashmir tangle, it should give up its delaying tactics and get down to the serious business of talking with his government.

In an obvious reference to New Delhi's contention that there could be no dialogue as long as militant organisations continued to talk the language of ``jehad'', Gen. Musharraf said the situation could normalise only through dialogue. Unlike India, Pakistan was not putting across any pre-conditions for the resumption of the talks as it sincerely wanted a resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

He appealed to Mr. Vajpayee to demonstrate ``statesmanship'' and move forward to resolve the dispute. His Government and the people of Pakistan would be prepared to meet the Mr. Vajpayee ``half way'' if he was ready to carry forward the peace process.

At the same time, Gen. Musharraf left no one in doubt that Pakistan would not be party to any dialogue with India in which Kashmir was on top of the agenda. Pakistan would not accept any condition for the resumption of dialogue and Kashmir would dominate any parleys between the two countries.

He said keenness of Pakistan for a dialogue with India should not be construed as a weakness. ``We are for peace and progress in the region, and this objective cannot be attained without resolution of the Kashmir dispute.'' He reaffirmed the commitment of Pakistan and his Government to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris in their fight against India. ``We will stand by you through thick and thin till you attain your right to self determination''.

Gen. Musharraf said the ``struggle'' in Kashmir was ``indigenous'' and the international community refused to buy the Indian propaganda that Islamabad was aiding and abetting violence in the Valley.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Next     : Stop hounding Vaz, Cook tells media