India, Pak., should create climate of confidence: Benazir

LONDON, APRIL 8. The former Pakistani Prime Minister, Ms. Benazir Bhutto, today favoured creation of a climate of confidence by both India and Pakistan to put the feeling of ``hatred'' behind them.

Both countries should start talking about safe and open border across Kashmir, allow people to cross over, get to know each other and build confidence, Ms. Bhutto said answering questions from listeners of Sunrise Radio, Asia's largest private network here. ``I hope we can have successful negotiations with the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for a better future,'' she said.

Asked how she proposed to tackle the ticklish Kashmir issue, Ms. Bhutto said, ``Kashmir dispute has led to four wars and bloodshed on both sides. Kashmiris have been killed and Indian troops have been killed. I am now asking both India and Pakistan to help create a climate of confidence building.'' She said part of the blame for the hate relationship lay in the cold war situation and on the leadership of the two countries. ``It is very important to look at the issue in context. Is it one of concessions or is it one of understanding each other's points of view.''

``I think it would be wrong if I expected India to concede or India expected Pakistan to concede (on Kashmir). What we need to do is to think of Kashmiri people, think of peace, think of how we can make south Asia a great market that can compete in the 21st century with other markets.

``And if you look at it, instead of I win, you lose scenario, if we look at it as win-win scenario, moving for bringing people together in a state of amity and friendship, I think all of us can win. There are some people who think that the LoC ought to be recognised so that it could lead to peace and others feel there can be backlash if LoC is recognised. So we are obsessed with LoC.''

On the new programme she would put forth to the people if voted to power, Ms. Bhutto said her topmost priority would be to ensure peace within the country and peace within the region.

She admitted that there was a lot of pressure from the military in Pakistan on an elected government and a lot of pressure from the civil service on the Indian Government on the Kashmir issue.

``May be what we need to do is think more about retreat and about political relations at the highest level that can help circumvent deeply entrenched positions,'' she added.

- PTI

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