Pak. Army realistic, says Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, JULY 9. The Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who is embarking on a three-day visit to India on July 14, has said the Army is neither ``hawkish nor dovish'' but only believed in adopting a realistic and balanced approach in evaluating issues.

``I think I wouldn't like to call the Pakistan Army as hawkish or dovish. I think we are very realistic, we understand the realities. We are very balanced in our approach,'' Gen. Musharraf said while interacting with local media.

The NNI news agency quoted him as saying on Sunday that ``there are two kinds of opinion here in Pakistan. One opinion is of the hawks - obviously total confrontation and no giving in and keep fighting to eternity. The other is the people who say that you compromise and live in peace. Even may I say compromise on key issues and live in peace.''

``What the Army generally says is yes! peace but with honour and dignity. Now that is the key point. No peace without honour and dignity. You cannot compromise on honour and dignity, you cannot compromise on your principles,'' he said.

Asked whether he thought the decision to retreat from Kargil a setback to that dignity, Gen. Musharraf said: ``Well that was the Government's decision. And, first of all there was no withdrawal as such as you are saying because what was happening there was (done) by the mujahideen (freedom fighters) themselves''. ``Pakistan only facilitated the ceasefire that took place by dispersing the mujahideen who were across the Line of Control.''

Gen. Musharraf refused to answer what was more difficult - fighting war or making peace. ``I can't answer that question. I think both are difficult. Making war is very difficult and making peace may be also very difficult when hostilities and tensions are high.''

He said, ``fighting a war is not a simple matter. It causes a lot of human suffering and economic suffering also. So, of course, in the overall context, one would certainly like to go for peace even though I may have fought a war and I may be a man in uniform. I would like to say that I understand sufferings much more than a civilian.''

Jains `chosen hosts'

A portion of Naharwali Haveli, which retains the old looks that would match the memories Gen. Musharraf has of his ancestral house, in old Delhi, has been chosen as the venue to receive the Pakistan President.

The Pakistan President will also be treated to the choicest delicacies of old Delhi like ``Chaat Pakodi'' and ``Sevaiyan,'' which would be served to him by the Jain family, the present occupants of the Haveli, said Mr. Shoiab Iqbal, local MLA, in Delhi today.

- PTI

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