‘Way forward’ to be discussed: president: Kashmir dispute
ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: President General Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday he would promote the cause of peace and discuss a “way forward” on the Kashmir dispute in his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York. Talking to reporters before his departure for the United States, the president described his visit as multi-faceted and extremely important, as besides addressing the UN General Assembly he would also meet many world leaders, including US President George W. Bush, and speak to US Jewish Congress and a women convention.
On his meeting with Mr Singh, which comes after the first interaction between the Indian prime minister and APHC leaders, the president said he wanted to promote the cause of peace and resolution of all disputes, especially the Kashmir dispute.
“My expectations are to discuss (with the Indian prime minister) a way forward on resolution of disputes and when we talk of disputes, although I would like to talk all disputes, but the focus ought to be on Kashmir and there is no doubt in my mind,” he said.
The president said other disputes do make progress at foreign secretaries and foreign ministers level but “when two leaders meet, it is better they discuss issues which cannot make progress at lower-level talk”.
“Therefore I would like to discuss all disputes, especially the Kashmir dispute,” he added.
President Musharraf said that in his address to the US Jewish Congress, he intended to strongly convey strength of the Palestinian cause — the cause of establishing an independent Palestinian state — and to speak logically and with pragmatism with them.
He said he would talk of peace and harmony in the world and peace in the Middle East and its impact on the entire world. “It is very essential that we create and recognize an independent Palestinian state and I will emphasize its importance,” he added.
He said he would discuss with President Bush issues of terrorism and bilateral relationship and the resolutions of Kashmir and Palestine issues.
President Musharraf is also scheduled to address a women convention which, he said, was very important against the background of whatever was happening on the issue of violence against women and the general equality issues, the play-up of the Mukhtaran Mai and Dr Shazia cases.
President Musharraf would also visit the Centcom headquarters. “It is a very very busy schedule and I want to achieve many things, basically covering whatever negatives on Pakistan is and project the country in a strong way on all international, domestic and regional issues,” he said.—APP
