Islamabad prepared for talks with Delhi: UK may play facilitator, says Kasuri
By Shamim ur Rahman
KARACHI, July 26: Pakistan is prepared to have talks with India on a bilateral or multilateral forum and has emphasized its commitment to fighting against terrorism and maintaining peace on its borders.
This was stated by Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri while briefing newsmen at the State Guest House on Saturday on his return from the United Kingdom after consultations with the British foreign secretary and the Commonwealth secretary-general.
“As far as Pakistan is concerned, we are prepared to have talks on a bilateral or multilateral forum. If India prefers talks on a bilateral forum, we are prepared for talks on the bilateral forum, but they have to be purposeful,” said the foreign minister.
Mr Kasuri hinted at the possibility of major countries, including Britain, playing the role of facilitators in bringing the two countries to the negotiating table.
Pakistan, he said, was committed to a peaceful resolution of the dispute, not just of Jammu and Kashmir but of all issues. That was why we were emphasizing the need for a sustained dialogue, he added.
“I would like to place on record that I do not regard efforts by the US, Britain, EU, Japan, China and other friendly countries as interference. These countries are friends of Pakistan and want a peaceful resolution,” he said.
“We are under no military or diplomatic pressure to resume dialogue or to change our stand on Kashmir,” Mr Kasuri told a questioner, adding that Pakistan had been underlining the need for a “sustained dialogue”.
Replying to a question about the possibility of a meeting between Pakistani and Indian prime ministers in September this year in New York, Mr Kasuri said that it was the desire of Pakistan that a purposeful dialogue with India should be started as soon as possible.
“If our prime minister is willing to go to Delhi, then he should not have any objection to meeting the Indian prime minister in New York.”
Replying to a question about Indian allegations of cross- border infiltration, Mr Kasuri said that Pakistan had done all it could but no country could seal its borders completely. Even the US could not seal its border with Mexico completely, he added.
“In order to prevent this, an incentive should be given to those people who put their lives in danger. They must see light at the end of the tunnel, which is possible only when India and Pakistan start meaningful talks,” he said, adding that “Pakistan is not in a position to order such elements to stop. Those who are willing to sacrifice their lives don’t take orders”.
“Let us give the Kashmiris some hope because these are the people who have become hopeless,” he said.
AFGHANISTAN: Asked to comment on the Afghan government’s accusations of violation of its borders, the foreign minister stressed Pakistan’s commitment to the Bonn process and support of the government of President Hamid Karzai. He also recalled Pakistan’s contribution of $100 million for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. He, nevertheless, admitted that there were some problems.
But, Mr Kasuri pointed out, a careful reading of Afghan statements would reveal that there was no direct accusation against the government of Pakistan.
