Pakistan, Britain Stress Need to Defuse Crisis Through Dialogue

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 08, 2002

Pakistan, Britain Stress Need to Defuse Crisis Through Dialogue

Pakistan and Britain have stressed the need for defusing crisis between India and Pakistan and to begin a dialogue in the pursuit of peace, harmony and good neighborliness.

Pakistan and Britain have stressed the need for defusing crisis between India and Pakistan and to begin a dialogue in the pursuit of peace, harmony and good neighborliness.

This was stated by President Pervez Musharraf in a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair Monday evening in Islamabad.

Musharraf said that during his talk with Prime Minister Tony Blair the two sides discussed in detail the situation obtaining between India and Pakistan. "I have informed the Prime Minister about dangerous military build-up on our borders and the belligerent statements emanating from India," he added.

Musharraf said that he also made known to Blair Pakistan's policy of restraint and responsibility. "Pakistan rejects terrorism in all its forms and manifestation and has fully cooperated with the international coalition against terrorism in that spirit," he added.

Musharraf said he would unveil a plan to combat militancy in the country in an address to the nation to be made in a few days time. "We are taking steps within Pakistan to bring some degree of normalcy, balance, introducing a tolerant society (and) checking any form of militancy within our society," Musharraf said.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said dialogue was the only way to solve the dangerous stand-off between India and Pakistan. "Now what I believe is important is that we get to a situation where the only real way that this issue is ever going to be resolved -- namely through dialogue -- happens," he said. "And I believe that the overwhelming desire of people outside India and Pakistan is to make sure that that is what happens, that the two sides come together in a proper, meaningful dialogue," he said.

The British prime minister arrived here from New Delhi for a two-day visit to Pakistan on his South Asia tour.