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A positive signal: Islamabad
By B. Muralidhar Reddy
ISLAMABAD, DEC. 31. Islamabad today welcomed reports from New Delhi of a possible meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries in Kathmandu on the sidelines of the coming SAARC summit. The indication came from the Foreign Office spokesman, Mr. Aziz Ahmed Khan, at a news briefing here. Mr. Khan said Pakistan would welcome a de-escalation of tension on the LoC and the border with India through diplomatic means. ``Our stated position is that we are ready for dialogue anytime, anywhere and at any level. The ball is in India's court. We believe all differences could be sorted out through dialogue and negotiations.''
Mr. Khan was responding to reports from New Delhi that the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, had hinted at a possible meeting with the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar. The spokesman was asked to comment on the report that Mr. Singh had not ruled out a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the SAARC summit.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, visited the Command Operation Centre of the Air Force and reviewed the preparations. Pakistan's Air Chief, Air Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, briefed him on the strategy and deployment. Reports said the PAF had moved its air formation to the Indian border.
Addressing senior commanders and staff officers, Gen. Musharraf said that ``Pakistan is a responsible and peace-loving nation, but let there be no illusion that in case of any aggression committed against Pakistan we will retaliate with complete national will and resolve.''
He told the PAF commanders that ``in all great battles the numerically inferior forces have overcome their adversaries with better standard of training and resolve. I have no doubt that with the present state of operational readiness, faith and conviction Pakistan Air Force will be able to reply any challenge in benefiting manner.''
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