Soldiers for peace want early talks

By Our Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 10 The India-Pakistan Soldiers' Initiative for Peace (IPSI) has urged the Governments of India and Pakistan to carry forward the peace process towards an early dialogue.

In a statement detailing the follow-up activities of the Indian delegation led by Admiral (retd) Ramdas that was recently in Pakistan, the members of IPSI have urged both the Governments that under ``no circumstances this historic moment for peace should be allowed to pass''.

The members of the Indian delegation said that both the countries had taken positive steps to reduce tension and move towards an early dialogue.

A statement issued by Brig. Rao Abid Hamid, Coordinator of the forum, said that the trip of the Indian delegation to Pakistan had been a constructive and forward- looking development.

It said on their return to India, the delegation members met the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, the National Security Advisor and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Brajesh Mishra, the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. Padmanabhan and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sushil Kumar.

The delegation also met a cross-section of the political leaders including the former Prime Minister, Mr. I.K. Gujral, the leader of the Congress parliamentary party, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and the CPI(M) general secretary, Mr. Harkishan Singh Surjeet.

The statement said in their meetings with Mr. Vajpayee and other leaders they had conveyed the good wishes and message of goodwill from the Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf and the people of Pakistan.

``They further explained that in Pakistan at all levels they found abundance of goodwill and desire for peace with dignity''.

It said Ms. Nirmala Deshpande and other members reiterated the need for an early start to the process of dialogue between India and Pakistan.

According to the leader of the group they received a very positive response and support for the initiative.

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