The Hindu : Talks should begin on PoK first, says Vajpayee

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 04, 2003

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Talks should begin on PoK first, says Vajpayee

The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, being greeted by the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, and the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, on his arrival from abroad in New Delhi on Tuesday . — PTI

New Delhi June 3. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, tonight said if talks were to resume with Pakistan on Kashmir issue, they should start with that part of Kashmir which was under Pakistani occupation.

"We have had talks on Kashmir earlier also. If we were to start with Kashmir, then we have to start with that part of Kashmir which is under Pakistani occupation,'' he told reporters on his return here from a week-long tour of Germany, France and Russia.

His remarks came in response to a question whether taking up the Kashmir issue would place a hurdle in the talks with Pakistan as was witnessed at the Agra Summit.

On the peace process initiated by him, the Prime Minister said: "this is the beginning. The talks can start only after cross-border terrorism ends".

He said all the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council also agreed that cross-border terrorism should stop and that a conducive atmosphere should be created for resumption of talks.

Asked whether the U.S. President, George W. Bush, would pressure the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, to end cross-border terrorism, Mr. Vajpayee said it was not a question of exerting pressure.

``Bush's saying he would take up the matter with Musharraf (in Washington this month) is itself a pressure.''

He termed as "very good" his talks with world leaders during his talks in Germany, St. Petersburg and Evian (France).

Mr. Vajpayee was received at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, other Cabinet colleagues, the three defence chiefs and senior officials.

The Prime Minister presented a bouquet to the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, on his 73rd birthday.

Mr. Fernandes, who had come to receive Mr. Vajpayee, was also greeted by his Cabinet colleagues and others. — PTI, UNI

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