09 June 2000	Friday	05 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1421

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

WASHINGTON, June 8: Karl F. Inderfurth, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, said here on Wednesday that the United States has asked New Delhi to "consider very seriously" to resume dialogue with Islamabad.

He said that if General Pervez Musharaff and Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee can transcend the past the problem of Kashmir can be resolved.

Addressing the annual meeting of Pak-American Congress Inderfurth said "we believe that the spirit and substance of February 1999, Lahore summit must be recaptured."

Noting that Pakistan's Chief Executive General Musharraf has repeatedly offered to meet with India, Inderfurth said "but Pakistan must also do its part to create the peaceful conditions that would make the dialogue meaningful."

He observed that until "there is peace and reconciliation between Pakistan and India both countries would be held back, especially the smaller of the two, Pakistan."

Stressing that in the United States view, "the Kargil incident, initiated by Pakistan a year ago did great damage to the prospects for reconciliation symbolized by Lahore," Inderfurth nevertheless asserted "while Kargil cannot be forgotten, we believe that it can and should be transcended."

On the issue of Pakistan's return to democracy, Karl Inderfurth said "We welcome Gen Musharraf's announcements that local elections will be held next year, that the human rights of all Pakistanis will be protected and that he will abide by the Supreme Court's recent decision imposing a three-year deadline for return to the civilian rule."

He urged Gen Musharraf "to move quickly toward a clear road map for a real rebirth of democracy, including fully functioning political parties and a free and fair national election at the earliest possible date."

"Those who have been detained unlawfully should receive due process and the ban on political demonstrations should be removed," he added.

Appreciating the difficulties faced by the Musharraf government "in attempting to make changes, particularly in the economic arena, that threaten entrenched interests. The ongoing battle over the documenting the Pakistani economy poses," Inderfurth said "for Pakistan's sake, we hope the General is able to stay the course on his economic reform plan."

He said that the United States is encouraged by Pakistan's apparent intention, at long last, to reform its policies and institutions, to root out corruption, and to resolve international commercial disputes."

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)