Ceasefire with India to culminate in dialogue: Pakistani spokesman

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 02, 2003

Ceasefire with India to culminate in dialogue: Pakistani spokesman

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Pakistan said on Monday its initiatives on a ceasefire and resumption of air links with India are aimed at starting a composite dialogue to resolve all problems including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The ceasefire being observed with India is an indication that the two countries can engage with each other for a composite dialogue for resolution of thorny issues," Foreign Ministry spokesman Masood Khan told a weekly briefing in Islamabad.

He said that the idea of ceasefire was originated from Pakistanwhen Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali announced the unilateralceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir on Nov. 23, and that Pakistan's intention is that it should be for an indefinite period.

He said Jamali and his Indian counterpart Atal Behari Vajpayee are expected to meet during the 12th summit of the seven-member South Asian Alliance for Regional Cooperation scheduled for early next year in Islamabad.

"Such meetings are good as they break the ice and facilitate theway for substantive talks," said Masood.

He added that Pakistan does not have any assurance for such talks but there is an anticipation that if there is sufficient goodwill and atmosphere for negotiations then this process has to culminate in a composite dialogue.

Both Pakistani and Indian armies began to observe a ceasefire in Kashmir last week. The Pakistani side hopes that the two neighbors can restart a dialogue to resolve all their outstanding issues.

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