May 14, 2003	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11, 1424

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BOMBAY, May 13: Pakistani legislators on a peace mission in India suggested on Tuesday the two countries start joint patrol of the disputed Kashmir border to resolve the key sticking issue between the neighbours.

The leader of the delegation also recommended that a neutral body monitor the Kashmir frontier.

“There has to be face-to-face talk on the Kashmir issue and from our side Pakistan has to be honest” and it should not beat about the bush, said Sardar Saleem Jan Mazari.

He said Islamabad was not sending militants into other side of Kashmir’s disputed border to take part in the 14-year freedom struggle there.

“Our stand is clear that there is no cross-border terrorism, but how do we satisfy India? One way is to have joint patrolling of the Kashmir border or set up a neutral body whom we both trust to oversee the issue,” Mr Mazari told a gathering here.

He said the dispute over Kashmir could be resolved only through peaceful initiatives and not at gunpoint.

“In my view the part of Kashmir which is with us (Pakistan) cannot be taken by force at gunpoint and the part which is with you (India) also cannot be taken by force,” he said.

“Or we give freedom to Kashmiris. These are the only options available, unless a new one is worked out by the respective governments.”

“There are some people from both sides who do not want both the countries to come together. But we have to unite and defeat these forces,” Mr Mazari said.—AFP