ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: United States has no secret plan for resolution of Kashmir issue and it should be resolved among India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir, said Ambassador Richard Haass, Director Policy Planning, US State Department on Friday
Speaking in a PTV programme “Visitor’s Book”, he said, “US does not hold in its pocket any secret plan or a framework for the solution (of Kashmir issue) and it really has to be worked out among India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.”
Richard Haass, an advisor to US Secretary of State Colin Powell, was on a visit to India and Pakistan to ascertain the situation in the region.
Mr Haass said the US wants resolution of Kashmir issue through diplomatic and peaceful means. He referred to the Simla Accord which provides for a framework for the peaceful resolution of the dispute.
He said: “interests and perspectives of the people of Kashmir have to be taken into account.”
He said Kashmir issue is at the core of differences between India and Pakistan. The problem is affecting the lives of people of Kashmir.
Replying to a question, he said elections in Indian Occupied Kashmir and Pakistan are fundamentally different.
The US Ambassador said: “dialogue is a way to move things forward and Indians want dialogue which include but is not limited to the issue of Kashmir.”
Indian government also wants to take up the entire issue of cross border infiltration,” he added.
He said the dialogue should take place even if differences exist on bigger issues. Both the countries should start cooperation in other areas if they cannot resolve the bigger issues.
“Even if India and Pakistan are not ready to hold talks at the highest level it will be healthy for both the countries to begin interacting positively,” he added.
In this connection, he alluded to resumption of diplomatic relations, air and bus links, increase in trade activity and sports competitions between the two countries.
He said the United States wants improvement in the life of people of Kashmir as a result of elections in occupied Kashmir.
He welcomed the announcement made by India and Pakistan to withdraw their troops to peacetime locations.
“This is a healthy development, but obviously there are still big disagreements between the two countries including the Kashmir issue. This mutual announcement of redeployment of forces provides a breathing space and an opportunity,” he added.
He said elections in Pakistan will open up new opportunities for people of the country.
Mr Haass said relations between Pakistan and the US have changed for the better in the aftermath of war in Afghanistan.
They have intimate and productive relationship and both are now closely cooperating in the military and economic fields, he added.
Mr Haass said democracy in Pakistan matters greatly to the United States and will further strengthen relations between the two countries.
He said the international community including United States, Pakistan, European Union and Japan are committed to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.—APP
