May 11, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 8, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, May 10: Pakistan on Saturday mulled the appointment of a high commissioner to India after accepting New Delhi’s nomination of its chief diplomat for Islamabad, part of the gathering momentum towards peace between the arch-rivals.

“There are some names under consideration and a decision is expected soon,” a senior foreign ministry official told AFP.

As US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage met Indian leaders in New Delhi to boost prospects for early resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan, officials here were hopeful that things were moving in the right direction.

Armitage said in Islamabad on Thursday after talks with Pakistan leaders that he was cautiously optimistic about the dialogue process taking shape.

“The short time taken by Pakistan to approve India’s nomination of its high commissioner is yet another clear sign of Islamabad’s keen interest in moving forward to sustain the recent peace moves,” a senior government official said.

The government consented late Friday to the appointment of Shiv Shankar Menon as the head the Indian mission in Islamabad, to fill the vacuum left when India withdrew its ambassador about a year and half ago.

Official sources said the high commissioners, or ambassadors, of the nuclear-armed neighbours are expected to take up their crucial posts sometime next week, upgrading the diplomatic channel to help hasten the movement towards resuming talks.

Pakistan leaders insist the only way to normalise perpetually-strained relations between the South Asian nations is to engage in a comprehensive and well-structured dialogue process to address the whole gambit of issues — including the seemingly intractable dispute over Kashmir.

Former foreign secretary Tanvir Ahmed said the prompt Pakistan action in approving Menon’s appointment showed yet another gesture of goodwill by Islamabad.

Diplomats on both sides have traditionally worked under considerable pressure in each others’ capitals due to the ripple effect of unending mutual animosity. Tit-for-tat expulsions have been common.

The countries began peace moves after a surprise acceptance by Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on April 18 of Pakistan’s long-offered invitation for talks.

Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali responded on April 28 with an unprecedented phone call to Vajpayee and followed it up with a formal invitation to the Indian leader to visit Pakistan for talks.

The conciliatory process moved forward when, days later, Mr Vajpayee announced that India would restore full diplomatic ties. Mr Jamali subsequently announced six confidence-building measures including the exchange of high commissioners, revival of sports ties and bus, air and train links.—AFP