November 3, 2001	Saturday	Shaba’an 16, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: The foreign minister of France, Hubert Vedrine, on Friday called for exercise of restraint by both Pakistan and India and hoped that the two countries would soon resume dialogue for resolution of all the issues including Kashmir.

“In these difficult times we would like to see restraint and levelheadedness on the part of both Pakistan and India,” Mr Vedrine told a press conference at the conclusion of his talks with President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Mr Vedrine who arrived here from New Delhi ruled out the possibility of France making an offer to play a mediatory role in the dispute between the two neighbours. “A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of both India and Pakistan,” he said.

He did not reveal much about his discussion with President Musharraf and his Pakistani counter part Abdus Sattar. He said that he conveyed France’s appreciation for what he termed a bold and clear course taken by Pakistan in the wake of Sept 11 incidents.

As regards to political settlement in Afghanistan, he said, there were many obstacles in the way but all the Afghan groups would have to focus on the future of Afghanistan.

He also acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts in providing relief to the Afghan refugees. “Pakistan is doing considerable effort in providing relief to the refugees,” he said.

He also hinted that Pakistan may also agree on opening its borders for the refugees. “We hope that they can do more and they are ready for that,” he said.

He said they agree with Pakistan’s stance that relief to the Afghan refugees should be provided inside Afghanistan but added in the same breath that situation was such that all the options would have to be exhausted. Mr Vedrine defended the incessant bombing on Afghanistan saying that the action was legitimate and necessary. “Military actions are always difficult to live through,” he said adding that United Nation Security Council had also deemed the United States response as legitimate.

He said that the sufferings of Afghan people and ills of the unfortunate country did not stem from the military action alone. He said that they had been suffering for a number of years.

He hoped that in the longer run Afghan nation would get a “good future.”