The Hindu : `Let's go back to pre-Dec. 13 status'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 02, 2003

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`Let's go back to pre-Dec. 13 status'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD MAY 1. Pakistan today said India and Pakistan should go back to the pre-December 13, 2001 status vis-a-vis diplomatic relations between the two countries to create a conducive atmosphere for a composite dialogue on all outstanding issues. The Pakistan Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mehmud Kasuri, told the State-run Pakistan Television in an interview that Islamabad would take up the matter with New Delhi. "Yes, we are taking up the matter with India", he said in response to a question.

However, he hastened to add: "there are many things we can suggest. Already these issues are being taken up. Some directly and some through backdoor diplomatic channels. It must be remembered that it takes two to tango. We believe the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, is serious about the talks offer and hopefully these things would materialise."

In the wake of the December 13, 2001 Parliament attack, India recalled its High Commissioner in Pakistan and downgraded its mission. Besides, rail, road and air links were snapped. Mr. Kasuri argued that restoration of the `people-to-people' contact was critical to the normalisation of ties between the two countries.

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