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Pakistan still wants talks
with India on J&K

Military ruler General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday played down India's refusal to discuss Kashmir with Pakistan, saying he still hoped for agreement from Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

A spokesman for India's External Affairs Ministry had rejected Pakistani calls for talks involving India, Pakistan and Kashmiris.

Pakistan had warned that a continuation of a current ceasefire depended on how soon negotiations started.

"We are still waiting for a more positive response from the higher quarters, although, yes, today the information is that they have rejected the call," Musharraf was quoted as saying by the official APP news agency.

"I am expecting the prime minister to respond," the military ruler said. "I think the doors are still not fully closed, so we are hoping for a positive response in the future."

Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar told Reuters on Tuesday that the current ceasefire with India in Kashmir would become permanent only if tripartite talks opened after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"I expect the Indian prime minister to decide on this offer. Otherwise, obviously, I will presume that the ball is entirely in their court," Musharraf was quoted telling local reporters.

"If it fails again -- the window of opportunity which again was there -- I will consider that it was frustrated by the Indian side," he said.

The comments were the latest in a series of exchanges that began with India's announcement it would observe a ceasefire in Kashmir for the month of Ramadan.

Pakistan responded by announcing maximum restraint on its front with India.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raminder Singh Jassal said on Tuesday India was ready to talk with all groups in Kashmir -- but there was no role for Pakistan.

"It is abundantly clear that there is no room for what are termed as tripartite talks," he said.

He said New Delhi would review the situation in Kashmir after Ramadan but he stopped short of saying the ceasefire could be extended.

Jassal said India expected Pakistan to address its concerns about "cross-border terrorism, infiltration into India and aiding and abetment of violence."

Reuters

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