Date:10/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/10/stories/2006011015611400.htm

International - India & World

Not bleak, says Pakistan

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Pace of peace process disappointing but forecast is not bleak

"Unilateral demilitarisation possible only if New Delhi agrees to it"
Information on Balochistan being processed

Categorically denies charge of cross-border infiltration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday said though the pace of the peace process with India was "disappointing," the forecast was certainly not "bleak."

Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told reporters that Islamabad hoped to see greater flexibility from New Delhi and better progress on contentious issues during the third round of Foreign Secretary-level talks, scheduled for January 17 and 18 in New Delhi.

Asked about Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's observations in an interview to an Indian television channel, Ms. Aslam said his remarks certainly did not amount to admission of Pakistan's failure on Kashmir. "Please do not read too much into those comments," she said.