The Hindu : U.S. talking to Pak. on J&K polls: Armitage

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 08, 2002

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U.S. talking to Pak. on J&K polls: Armitage

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington sept. 7. The United States is trying to work on both India and Pakistan through the elections in Kashmir, to get them through as violence-free as possible; and the Bush administration is talking with its ``Pakistani friends'' for making sure this happens. ``I can't see the future. I have a murky, muddy crystal ball. We are just trying to work on both sides through these elections right now; to get through them as violence-free as possible. We'll see where we are and we'll continue our discussions,'' said the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage.

In an exclusive conversation with The Hindu, Mr. Armitage, who has been in the region twice in the last three months or so, said there had indeed been some forward movement in the problems of the region. ``I notice that in terms of a move towards elections in Kashmir and also elections in Pakistan. Tensions are somewhat higher than they were, say about a month and a half ago, but to some extent the violence is not as great as some had feared.''

``And we are talking with our Pakistani friends making sure that these elections (in Kashmir) are held free of violence. We are pleased that President Musharraf assured me... that he and his administration condemn violence at every election, including the election in Kashmir, although their views of this election are very well known. They're not supportive of it at all. That's a different situation.''

He did not share the view that there was an impasse because of New Delhi's insistence that a dialogue with Pakistan could not be started unless cross-border terrorism came to an end and the infrastructure of terrorism was torn down. ``The Government of India said many things... They have also said at another time that relatively violence-free elections in Kashmir could possibly lead to some sort of dialogue at some level.''

Another positive aspect was that ``both Indian and Pakistani interlocutors said they appreciated the good offices of the United States and they want them to continue''. Mr. Armitage said that he ``understood'' the perception that the U.S. failed to fully appreciate where India was coming from on the issue of terrorism, especially as it related to the sub-continent. ``I understand...But I think our Indian friends are sensitive and sensible enough to know that we have got to fight these issues one at a time. And your terrorism, particularly coming from Kashmir, is horrible. We condemn it.''

``We have to make sure that how we approached the solution to the problem is not something which ultimately may lead to a failed state next door... Our success in Afghanistan... created conditions in which we may eventually have a better Pakistan. A more stable Pakistan which will then create the conditions that will further alleviate the ability of terrorists to attack your citizens.''

Mr. Armitage was asked about the conflicting statements of Gen. Musharraf on the kind of commitments he had made on the various aspects related to cross-border terrorism. ``I think President Musharraf sometimes gets frustrated, I guess, generally with continued questions from journalists,'' was the response.

He scoffed at the criticism that Washington was somehow telling India how to conduct elections in Kashmir and at the same time was being less tough on what was happening in Pakistan by way of elections there.

``That is absurd. I am shocked. I am surprised you would ask a question like that. It is exactly the opposite. It was the Indian Government that announced they were going to have elections. We supported the idea and merely voiced the fact that we expect it to be free, fair and open,'' he said.

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