Resolving Kashmir issue key to peace: Musharraf

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, AUG. 14. The Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, today declared that there could be no peace and prosperity in the region without resolution of the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

Addressing the nation for the first time in his capacity as the President, Gen. Musharraf minced no words in saying that Kashmir was the biggest hurdle in normalisation of India-Pakistan relations.

For the first time after the Agra summit, Gen. Musharraf was specific and categorical. Since his return, he had been maintaining a low-profile on relations with India, and the explanation from his managers was that he would not like to do or say anything that could ``weaken'' the position of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The 12-minute speech was clearly intended for the international audience. Speaking in English before an audience of Islamabad- based diplomats and Pakistan's senior military and civil officers, the General focussed on the achievements of his Government in the last 22 months it has been in power. He also patted himself on the back for an impressive performance, particularly on the economic front.

On foreign policy, he claimed that his Government had brought the Kashmir issue ``out of the closet and made it the focus of world attention''. ``We are not high-bound in our attitude and I have categorically stated on my return from Agra that we are in favour of further talks with India on Kashmir dispute and other issues of difference between the two countries.''

The President said, ``without sacrificing our sovereignty and our national honour and our national dignity, we are willing to go to any length in order to maintain friendly relations with all our neighbours.'' ``This is particularly true with regard to India because we are convinced that without an amicable solution to the thorny and long-standing Kashmir dispute the two countries cannot progress and develop.''

He said the military Government had frozen defence spending ``which, considering the situation on our borders, is no mean achievement''.

But in a reference to India, he said: ``The armed forces of Pakistan, by the grace of Allah, backed by our nuclear potential, provide us complete security from external threat.''

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