Pakistan Welcomes Vajpayee's Statement

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 12, 2003

Pakistan Welcomes Vajpayee's Statement

Pakistan Monday welcomed Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's statement, in which he called for end to bloodshed between the two countries.

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Pakistan Monday welcomed Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's statement, in which he called for end to bloodshed between the two countries.

Commenting on Vajpayee's message to the conference of parliamentarians, journalists and experts being held here, ForeignOffice spokesman Masood Khan told a weekly news briefing that the tone and tenor of the message was appreciable.

"We appreciate Indian prime minister's desire for lessening of misperception and mistrust between the two countries," Masood Khansaid.

He hoped that India would move fast to resume dialogue with Pakistan. He said there should be a calendar for the dialogue.

To a question about the conference, the spokesman said interaction between parliamentarians and journalists is good. He hoped that this kind of interaction would help create an environment for a structured and meaningful dialogue between the two countries.

"Delegates from India can see for themselves Pakistan's keenness for peace and its eagerness to engage India for sorting out all our problems," he said, adding that the people of Pakistanwant resolution of all differences and creation of lasting peace and stability in the region.

"The Indian delegates must have realized that there is consensus in Pakistan that the Kashmir issue cannot be sidetracked," he said.

However, he said such track could not be a substitute for negotiations at the official level, and the official track is the most important. He also emphasized the need for the resumption of contacts between the two countries at the highest level.

The spokesman hoped that when back home, the Indian delegates would talk to the ruling party and Indian government to persuade them to come to the negotiating table and have substantive talks with Pakistan.

Replying to a question, the spokesman said behind the scene mediation and intercession is always in place. "Friends like the United States, the European Union, Japan and China have been urging Pakistan and India to explore all avenues for a peaceful resolution to Kashmir and other disputes so that peace and stability is ensured in South Asia."

"Pakistan has done so much to the overture of the Indian prime minister and the onus is now on New Delhi to scale down its repression in India-held Kashmir." He categorically stated that asfar as Pakistan is concerned nothing is happening on the Line of Control (LoC).

Masood Khan told a questioner that no proposal has been received from the United Kingdom about monitoring of he LoC by helicopters. He said the UN Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan, which is a legitimate mission, should be strengthened todischarge its responsibilities effectively.

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