June 26, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 25,1424

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WASHINGTON, June 25: President Pervez Musharraf said on Wednesday he would like to see US President George Bush as involved in resolving the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan as he is in the Middlle East in case of Israeli/Palestinian issue.

In an interview with ABC News programme Nightline, President Musharraf said: “Pakistan would certainly like that, because we are of the opinion that unless there is external influence, whether you call it mediation or facilitation” the issue cannot be resolved soon.

However, he said: “unfortunately the other side, the Indian side that talks of bilateral resolution of everything — although they know that there is a deal of facilitation going on behind the scenes — they don’t want to talk about it. We believe in talking, whatever is really happening. So Pakistan would encourage it. We would certainly like to have his involvement.”

Saying that President Bush has promised to stay involved, President Musharraf observed “well, he certainly believes that it’s India and Pakistan who need to get together to resolve our disputes, and that we are at a standstill at the moment. But I only hope that, with sincerity, that if India comes forward, and we both, can try to address all issues, including the Coalition of Jammu and Kashmir and move ahead on that.”

As regards the recognition of Israel by Pakistan, President Musharraf pointed out that “since it’s such a sensitive issue, one needs to take the nation into confidence. Consensus has to be developed in the nation to see, what does the nation really want?”