Track-II diplomacy no substitute for official talks: FO
ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: Pakistan on Monday termed the track-II interaction with India good and expressed the hope that it would create an environment for “a structured meaningful dialogue” between the two countries.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing here, Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan said track-II (diplomacy) should move in tandem with track-I, adding it could not be a substitute for negotiations at the government level.
“The two governments will have to engage with each other to find a solution to the Kashmir issue,” he added.
Responding to questions about the visiting Indian delegation, he said they were enjoying the hospitality of the people of Pakistan. They would carry an impression that Pakistanis were keen to seek peace and eager to engage India to sort out all differences for creating a lasting peace and stability in the region, he added.
The spokesman said the visitors would also realise that there was a consensus among Pakistanis that the Kashmir issue could not be side-stepped.
Responding to a question about Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s statement, he said it was positive and added that Pakistan appreciated the tone and tenor of the message.
The spokesman expressed the hope that India would move forward towards the peace process.
In reply to a question about the prospects of third-party mediation, he said if there were roadblocks and the two countries could not even initiate talks, than they had to go for mediation.
The spokesman said it had happened in the past and in future if we could not resolve differences, we would have to invite mediation.
In the context of Pakistan-India conflicts, he said we could not rule out mediation.
INFILTRATION: When asked about allegations of cross-border terrorism levelled by Indian opposition leader Sonia Gandhi, Mr Khan said these were not correct. He said nothing was happening across the LoC.
The spokesman said there had been repression, violence and terrorism, on the other side. These were terrorist acts. “India should take steps to end repression in occupied Kashmir,” he added.
When asked about press reports proposing monitoring of the LoC through helicopters, he said a number of proposals were being made.
The spokesman said the best course would be to strengthen the UNGOMIP for the monitoring of the LoC and it would also put to an end the allegations of infiltration.
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS: The spokesman said President Pervez Musharraf would address the United Nations general assembly on Sept 24. “He will meet several heads of state on the sidelines,” Mr Khan added.
In reply to a question, the spokesman said Pakistan had not made any request to India for a meeting between President Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next month.
Mr Khan said nothing had been indicated yet that there would be a meeting between the two leaders.
About President Musharraf’s meeting with US President George Bush, he said details in this regard had not been worked out as yet. However, he added if a meeting was held then both the leaders would discuss all issues, including the $3 billion aid package for Pakistan.
When asked that earlier reports indicated that Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali would visit the United States for the UN General Assembly session, the spokesman said the government had decided that President Pervez Musharraf would address the UN Assembly.
Mr Khan also clarified that the president would not visit Boston as had been reported by some newspapers.
In reply to a question, he said Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri would visit Kabul by the end of this month.—APP
JAKARTA BLAST: The foreign office spokesman said Pakistan was seeking more information from Indonesia about a reported statement that suspects behind last week’s car-bomb blast which killed 11 people had trained in Pakistan, adds AFP.
The spokesman said he had met the Indonesian embassy charge d’affaires to seek an explanation of the statement attributed in reports here to Defence Minister Matori Abdul Jalil.
“We have said that it’s not clear from the statement which time period they are referring to: is it pre or post 9-11?” Mr Khan said.
“If they have any leads they should share them with us and we shall move against the operatives involved, but there has to be some clarity.”
