RAWALPINDI, July 29: President Pervez Musharraf tried on Friday to ease Indian concerns over reports that militant camps were re-opening on Pakistan’s side of the ceasefire line dividing the disputed territory of Kashmir. Speaking at a meeting with foreign media at his residence, he said the peace process begun by South Asia’s nuclear rivals at the start of 2004 would continue to move forward.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the peace process will continue,” he said, adding that the time was ripe to settle the core issue of Kashmir. President Musharraf also turned to the issue of militant training camps and infiltration across the Line of Control.

“Now about the training camps ... let me assure you that the situation is on the mend. It will only improve in every sphere of activity.” He said he expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New York in September when both leaders are due to attend the United Nations General Assembly. He also reiterated a standing invitation to Dr Singh to visit Pakistan beforehand.

President Musharraf said recent rhetoric following Dr Singh’s visit to Washington earlier this month gave a wrong impression that relations were again cooling. “The reality is (that) on inter-governmental relations, on the issue of moving on CBMs (confidence building measures) and resolution of disputes we have not slid back at all.”—Reuters