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Resolve problems with India, US tells Musharraf

C K Arora in Washington

The Clinton administration has suggested a series of steps to Pakistan's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, including resolving his country's differences with India, that would determine the United States' attitude towards his regime.

In a statement issued immediately after General Musharraf's broadcast to the nation listing his government's policies, State Department spokesman James P Rubin yesterday called upon him ''to offer a clear timetable for the early restoration of constitutional, civilian and democratic government.''

Referring to General Musharraf's ''international priorities,'' he said ''the United States believes that it is critically important for Pakistan to begin to resolve its differences with India, including the conflict over Kashmir.''

''In this regard, we welcome General Musharraf's commitment of dialogue with India. We also welcome measures such as the unilateral draw down of military forces along the international border with India that General Musharraf announced,'' Rubin said.

''We hope that this move could be expanded to include forces along the Line of Control in Kashmir and urge Pakistan to undertake other confidence building measures that could lead to a lessening of tensions with India,'' Rubin said.

The US noted General Musharraf's statements with respect to global non-proliferation objectives and nuclear and missile restraint. He had also stated his belief that the Afghan conflict could be settled only through a representatives government in Kabul, a view America shared.

In the address General Musharraf defended the military's removal of the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and spelled out his aims and objectives in the days ahead.

''Because we do not believe military takeovers are the appropriate method for resolving the problems that face democracies, we welcome his pledge to work for a return to democracy and his promise that the armed forces would not stay in charge any longer than necessary,'' the State Department spokesman said.

''At the same time, we are disappointed that he did not offer a clear timetable for the early restoration of constitutional, civilian and democratic government. We call upon him to do so now,'' he added.

General Musharraf had told his nation that actions speak louder than words. ''The United States will watch closely as the general acts to fulfill his pledge to return his country to democracy and to address other serious problems he identified, including the economy and corruption,'' Rubin said.

The US called upon General Musharraf ''to respect civil liberties, freedom of the press and human rights.''

While this process proceeds, our own actions toward Pakistan in the days ahead will be guided by the steps taken by the new authorites,'' he added.

UNI

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