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Pak. offers talks on phased withdrawal of troops
By B. Muralidhar Reddy
ISLAMABAD, JAN. 29. For the first time since the military build-up on both sides of the border following the December 13 attack on Parliament, Pakistan today made a formal offer to India for talks on a phased withdrawal of troops to defuse the tension.
In a suo motu statement at a news conference here, the Foreign Office spokesman, Aziz Ahmed Khan, said the offer was a ``sum-up and re-affirmation'' of his country's position on the tension. There are four other components (see below) to the statement that essentially seeks India to come to the negotiating table to discuss all issues, including Kashmir.
``Pakistan is willing for talks with India on phased withdrawal of troops on both sides from their forward positions to their peacetime locations. Once an agreement has been reached, troops should be withdrawn in a specific time-frame,'' he said.
Mr. Khan said that Pakistan would not be the first to initiate ``military action'' along the International Boundary and the Line of Control. ``However, if attacked we would reply with full force,'' he asserted.
On the face of it, the offer of talks for a phased withdrawal appears to be a reiteration of Islamabad's earlier stance, but it certainly indicates its desire for an early de- escalation.
The offer could be interpreted as yet another effort by Pakistan to tell the international community that despite its persistent and consistent measures to defuse the tense atmosphere, New Delhi is being adamant.
It can also be seen as a reflection of the pressure on Pakistan on account of the military build-up.
Diplomatic and political observers here believe that the costs involved in mobilising thousands of troops on the frontlines is proving to be a huge burden on the resource-hit Pakistan.
By linking troop withdrawal to resumption of a comprehensive dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, Pakistan is sending a signal that there could be no peace in the region as long as Kashmir remains unresolved.
Rashid Quereshi, Press Secretary to the Pakistan President, who was present at the news conference, said that on the Pakistani side the U.N. military observers had `free access' to visit any area.
``It is the Indians who do not let them go beyond Srinagar because they have something to hide,'' he alleged.
In response to a question on allowing the peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan to make use of some of the facilities at Karachi, Maj. Gen. Quereshi maintained that there was no truth in the reports.
``The international community has preferred Pakistan for certain facilities to the peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan. Nothing has been handed over to any other country. Every thing in Karachi airport is under the control of Pakistani authorities,'' he said.
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The other aspects
* Pakistan is willing to restore on a reciprocal basis air, rail and road links severed on January 1.
* Withdrawal of troops should be followed by a comprehensive dialogue on Kashmir and other issues.
* The United Nations Military Observers Group on India and Pakistan should be beefed up to credibly monitor the LoC.
* New Delhi should allow human rights groups and international media to monitor human rights record in Kashmir.
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