Annan expected to reiterate desire for Indo-Pak. dialogue

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 9. The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, who is arriving on a week-long visit to the sub- continent, is expected to reiterate his desire for a `comprehensive Pakistan-India dialogue' during his interaction with the Pakistani leaders.

The first leg of his tour will involve a three-day maiden visit to Pakistan. Though the Government would have been happy to make Kashmir the focal point during his visit, developments in Afghanistan, particularly the recent decree of Mullah Omar, for the destruction of all pre-Islamic artefacts, are bound to cast their shadow on the trip.

Islamabad has been looking at Mr. Annan's visit as an opportunity to impress upon him the urgent need to counsel India on a dialogue with Pakistan for an early settlement of the Kashmir dispute. The Pakistan Permanent Representative in the U.N., Mr. Shamshad, had called on Mr. Annan early this week and appraised him of the Government's view on the dispute and its `earnest' efforts.

However, a U.N. Information Centre statement here sought to give an impression that the Secretary-General would steer clear of the divergent views in Islamabad and New Delhi on the process of a dialogue.

``Aside from the plight of Afghan refugees who have temporarily relocated to Pakistan, Mr. Annan will concentrate his talks on regional issues that may affect the stability of the region. As he has stated in the past, he will be fully supportive of a comprehensive Pakistan-India dialogue and will listen carefully to the concerns of his interlocutors.''

A senior diplomat from the west described the statement as `carefully worded', meant to keep both the countries satisfied.

Mr. Annan will spend only one full day in Islamabad. He is arriving at 9.50 p.m. on March 10 and has no official engagements for the day. He will have a busy day on March 11. Besides his meetings with the Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, and the President, Mr. Rafiq Tarar, the Secretary- General will preside over a series of meetings at the Foreign Ministry and with the U.N. officials working in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He is scheduled to meet a select group of correspondents for 15 minutes after his interaction with Gen. Musharraf at 7 p.m. (7.30 IST). The following day, Mr. Annan will visit the Afghan refugee camps at Shamshato and Jalozai in the North West Frontier Province.

Pakistan is bound to make use of the opportunity to impress upon him the need for more humanitarian assistance for the stranded Afghans.

Ever since the U.N. imposed additional sanctions on Afghanistan, Pakistan has been appealing to the world community to share the burden of the refugees.

Mr. Annan will be accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Nane Annan, for whom the U.N. officials have chalked out a separate programme.

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