Friday, December 2 2005 09:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Seeking US support to resolve the Kashmir 'dispute', President Pervez Musharraf yesterday (Dec 01, 2005) said India and Pakistan should move towards its 'settlement' in the interest of 'peace and stability' of the region.

"The President stressed on the need for the United States to lend its support to the efforts aimed at resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute," an official statement issued after Musharraf's meeting with a US Congressional delegation headed by Republican Congressman Dan Burton said.

Musharraf "underscored the importance of moving towards a settlement of the Kashmir dispute in the interest of durable peace and stability in the region," it said.

Islamabad attached a lot of significance to Burton's visit as he is the Co-Chair of the Pakistan Caucus. The delegation which included Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Green, Steven Pearce, Joe Wilson, Carolyn McCarthy and Loretta Sanchez, arrived here yesterday after holding talks with the Indian leadership in New Delhi.

"The delegation expressed support for the peace process between Pakistan and India to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries, including the early settlement of Jammu and Kashmir," the statement said.

Earlier, after meeting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz last night, Burton described Kashmir problem as a 'very difficult issue' and said the dialogue process between India and Pakistan was a 'giant step in the right direction' to resolve it.

"If they (leaders of India and Pakistan) are willing to sit and talk and bring in the people of Kashmir to the discussions, I think the problem can be resolved and United States wants to be a supporter of the process," Burton said.

The leaders of the two countries are trying to resolve a 'complex' issue that would require lot of consultations on either side, he said.

He said Pakistan President Musharraf and Prime Minister Aziz were working together with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to find a solution to the Kashmir issue. The dialogue was a great step forward and the leaders can make a great difference in solving "the problem that has gone too far".

About the opening of five points along the Line of Control, Burton said it was a good first step. "We hope that is just the beginning and the relationship between Pakistan and India grows and there is a peaceful resolution of problems like Kashmir".

In his talks with the US delegation, Aziz said Pakistan believes in finding a peaceful and negotiated settlement of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The US delegation also "lauded the cooperation Pakistan was extending to the international community in the fight against terrorism. The delegation supported Pakistan's efforts to promote regional peace and stability. In this regard, they welcomed Pakistan's valuable contribution in promoting the process of stabilisation in Afghanistan," it said.

In the meeting with Burton, Musharraf conveyed gratitude of his government and people of Pakistan for the prompt assistance provided by the US government, US Congress and the American people for the earthquake relief efforts.