Saturday, February 18 2006 10:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Observing that improved Indo-Pak relations and the congenial international environment provide a 'unique opportunity' for the two nations to work for a solution of the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said all sides should demonstrate flexibility and passion to resolve the problem.

Aziz said in his address to the conservative Heritage Foundation last evening that the Kashmir issue 'remained at the heart of the tensions' with India.

"For us this is not just an issue of territory, but of principle, the democratic principle of self determination which is the inalienable right of the Kashmiri people", he said.

"The improved relations between Pakistan and India and the congenial international environment provide a unique opportunity for our two countries to work for a solution of the Kashmir dispute that respects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people", Aziz said.

Emphasising that the Kashmiri people would have to be involved in the dialogue process, he said Pakistan had suggested ways of self-governance and de-militarisation that 'resonate' with the views of the Kashimiri leaders and intellectuals.

The Pakistan Prime Minister said the attainment of a final settlement would require a solution that is acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris and for this to happen all sides would have to demonstrate 'courage, sincerity, flexibility and above all passion'.

Aziz, who is scheduled to hold talks with President George W Bush today, said Pakistan adheres to the doctrine of minimum credible nuclear deterrence and is opposed to nuclear proliferation as also an arms race in the region.

Pakistan has proposed a 'strategic restraint regime' to India, Aziz said adding the "induction of anti-ballistic missile systems would have a de-stabilising impact on the entire region".

Making out a case for generating nuclear power, Aziz said, as a fossil fuel deficit country, Pakistan needs to develop nuclear power generation to meet the demands of an expanding economy.

"We are prepared to accept all safeguards for our civilian nuclear power sector," he said.

On Iran, Aziz said while Islamabad had clearly stated its opposition to nuclear weapons proliferation, it recognised the right of Iran "to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate safeguards".

"We have consistently advised Iran to address this issue through dialogue with the EU troika. We also believe that countries such as Russia and China could play a constructive role to resolve this issue. At the same time we oppose any resort to the use of force as this would aggravate the already troubled situation in the region", he said.