New Delhi: Observing that Pakistan military ruler Pervez Musharraf's "overt" statements for normalization of ties with India "must be put to the test", former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto today (Dec 13, 2003) gave "credit" to Prime Minister Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the peace initiative despite failure of the Agra Summit.

"It is to the credit of Prime Minister Vajpayee that he did not lose heart despite the undermining of bus diplomacy and the failure of the Agra Summit. But then he is a man of many surprises," she told a conference on "Peace Dividend - Progress for India and South Asia" organised by 'Hindustan Times'.

Vajpayee, said Bhutto, has indicated that his upcoming visit to Islamabad will include meetings with "everyone" and this indicates that a meeting between Musharraf, the man who wields the "real power" in Pakistan, and the Indian Prime Minister will take place.

"This is just as well as the Pakistani Premier's position is presently ceremonial and will remain so until power is transferred to Parliament," Bhutto, who was dismissed as Prime Minister in 1996, said.

Contending that since Independence the three wars between the two countries took place under military dictatorships, Bhutto, who has led the Government in Pakistan twice, said, "We believe that the military ruler's overt statements for normalisation of relations must be put to the test".

PTI

Related Links
Bhutto has private luncheon meeting with Advani