Date:11/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/11/stories/2003041104491100.htm

International

We will continue diplomatic efforts on J&K: Musharraf

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD APRIL 10. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, has said Islamabad would continue "diplomatic efforts" for resolution of the Kashmir issue even as the Pakistan Foreign Office accused the Atal Behari Vajpayee Government of "sabre-rattling and war- mongering" which was "further vitiating the extremely hostile environment".

Addressing a jirga (elders' gathering) at Governor House in Peshawar today, Gen. Musharraf invoked the phrase `national interest' and said Pakistan would continue its efforts to solve the Kashmir issue through peaceful means and safeguard its sovereignty and strategic assets. "National interest" and "Pakistan first" have been the theme song of Gen. Musharraf in all the actions taken by his regime since 9/11. In support of Pakistan's decision to join the U.S.-led coalition Gen. Musharraf had cited Kashmir cause, safeguarding nuclear assets and continuation as the main motivating factors.

Pakistan President told the assembly of elders in Peshawar that Pakistan had faced internal and external threats during the last three years but "we have faced these challenges with courage and determination and now Pakistan has a respectable place among the comity of nations". Pakistan did not believe in the policies of confrontation but would continue to adopt the way of tolerance and sagacity, which was in the best national interest. On the Afghanistan situation, he said a stable and peaceful Afghanistan was in Pakistan's interest.

In a separate statement, a Foreign Office spokesman condemned the "relentless sabre-rattling by the extremist Hindu BJP and constant war-mongering of India's leadership". The statement was a rejoinder to the resolution of the BJP's National Executive and the External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha's observations on Pakistan in Parliament.

The spokesman said all this was further darkening the "extremely hostile environment created by such irresponsible statements". Using "jingoistic idioms is reprehensible", which only contributed to heightening of tension in the region, he said.

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