Islamabad: Asserting that Pakistan is ready for a "sustained, purposeful, meaningful
and composite dialogue" with India, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has
hoped that the forthcoming visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage to
the region could provide mechanism to kick start the process.
Commenting on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's offer of friendship, he said, "A
change in tone and tenor which cannot be lost sight of. They were not off the cuff.
He could not have made that statement in Kashmir without giving it a real thought."
Vajpayee's offer could result in a "paradigm" change and lead to a concrete dialogue
process in which all issues, including Kashmir would be addressed, he told the media
on April 21 night at Karachi on his return from a tour of Saudi Arabia.
He was of the view that by making the offer, Vajpayee has distanced himself
from "aggressive statements" of some of his ministers, which were "not well
received" by the international community.
Urging India to come up with concrete proposals to resume the dialogue, Kasuri hoped
that the forthcoming visit of Armitage could provide "mechanism" to start the talks.
Armitage is expected to visit India and Pakistan shortly.
Kasuri also said that Pakistan was doing its best to stop all forms of terrorism and
urged the international community to evolve a mechanism to verify the Indian charge
of cross border terrorism.
"We are prepared for any kind of international mechanism on either side of the line
of control (LoC). We will prefer the UN observers group to be strengthened. But if
the Indians want representatives of six or seven countries, acceptable to both the
countries, it would also be acceptable," he said.
Kasuri said that Islamabad would soon announce dates for the postponed South Asian
Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) summit and hoped that it would provide
an opportunity for the leaders of India and Pakistan to meet.
About the talks on Kashmir issue, he said Kashmir was a long-standing "dispute"
between the two countries and Kashmiris should be involved in the dialogue
process. "If you want peace, then hold out hope to the people of Kashmir so that
they do not become desperate," he said.
PTI
