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ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday called for bilateral efforts to ease tensions between India and Pakistan, and emphasized the need for de-escalation.
Talking to newsmen at the Chaklala airbase, Mr Annan said Islamabad and Delhi should make joint efforts to bring peace to the region.
The UN chief came from Tokyo where he had attended the two-day International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan.
In reply to a question about defusing the border tension through an international peace body, Mr Annan said he had been personally talking to both countries and also to others about the need to de-escalate.
Referring to the Jan 12 speech by President Pervez Musharraf, the secretary-general said it was an important statement and a step in the right direction. He was optimistic that tensions could be defused by building on the steps taken by Pakistan.
Answering a question about meeting the Indian leadership, Mr Annan said: “We couldn’t coordinate our calendars ... but I’ll have a chance to discuss it here”.
Briefing newsmen about Mr Annan’s agenda of meeting with President Musharraf, UN Information Centre Director Eric Falt said that Pakistan-India tensions would obviously be discussed at the talks.
Mr Falt said the secretary-general, welcoming the president’s speech, had reiterated that the differences between India and Pakistan could only be resolved peacefully. The secretary-general, he said, had also stated that he was glad to note the reference in the president’s speech to the need for a solution of the Kashmir issue through dialogue and by peaceful means.
Mr Falt said the UN chief had also called on both sides to do whatever was necessary to reduce tension and enable a resumption of their dialogue without delay with a view to resolving the differences.
AFGHANISTAN: Referring to the Afghanistan situation and the UN role in the setting up of a proposed commission of neighbours for reconstruction, Mr Annan said all the countries, including Afghanistan’s neighbours and those from other parts of the world, would cooperate in the rebuilding efforts.
“I think we made a good start in Tokyo where the conference was very well attended, and the pledges were very encouraging ... now we have to get down to business and begin the process of reconstruction.”
Over $4.5 billion in pledges and contributions was announced by donors in Tokyo, with $1.8 billion pledged for 2002, which prompted Mr Annan to describe the conference as effective. Earlier, Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar received the secretary-general who was accompanied by Lakhdar Brahimi, UN special representative for Afghanistan.
The UN Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Sir Kieran Prendergast, also arrived separately earlier in the morning.
The secretary-general will leave on Friday for Kabul where he is scheduled to have meetings with members of the interim administration. Later, he would proceed to Iran.
