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INTERVIEW:
ABDUL SATTAR
"I
Have Hope in the Indian PM"
Pakistan
Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar clarified his country's position
on relations with India in a telephone interview to Deputy Editor Raj
Chengappa from Islamabad. Excerpts:
Q. Just
how do you view India's recent Kashmir initiative?
A.
We do not think it is enough. Suspension or termination of military operations
is only a half step. What we would like is a commitment to a process that
would lead to the settlement of the Kashmir issue in keeping with the
wishes of its people. The recent move by the two sides will hopefully
contribute to improving the atmosphere. But we have a long way to go.
Q. The
Indian prime minister has said Pakistan's decision to tell its forces
to exercise maximum restraint is not "substantive enough".
A.
We have exercised restraint to stabilise the cease-fire. India has been
alleging that Pakistan is using the firing as a cover for infiltration.
A un observer can be appointed to see our intentions. It should convey
to India our respect for the issue. It is time to suggest ideas for a
peace dialogue. We have invited the executive council of the Hurriyat
Conference to visit Islamabad for such a dialogue. We hope India will
do the same. After this a Pakistan-India dialogue would be appropriate.
Q. But
India has rejected Pakistan's demand for tripartite talks ...
A.
We are not insisting on a format that is tripartite, trilateral or whatever
you would like to term it. We have always discussed Kashmir between Pakistan
and India. But the Hurriyat has said in a resolution that in future such
a dialogue should associate the people of Kashmir with it. We have had
no rigid stand on that. If there is another route we are willing to explore
it. We are prepared to find ways and means of involving the Kashmir people
in the dialogue. For direct talks to resume it requires the meeting of
minds of India and Pakistan.
Q. But
India says resumption of talks is not possible till Pakistan ends cross-border
terrorism.
A.
The
reports of cross-border violence are quite exaggerated. If an objective
observer went to Kashmir he would see the scores of graveyards and tombstones
of people who died for the cause and find that they are Kashmiris, not
outsiders. I recall India's Home Minister L.K. Advani saying that the
Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was predominantly from the Indian side of the loc.
If there are outsiders, that is because throughout the world such movements
have attracted outsiders sympathetic to the cause. But it must be clarified
that the state should not sponsor such violations of law and order.
Q. India
feels there is enough evidence to show that Pakistan has sponsored terrorism
in Kashmir. Even countries like the US agree.
A.
As
I said earlier, it is not admissible under law for a state to sponsor
such activity. The Government of Pakistan has said again and again that
it does not sponsor any violation of the loc. India's stand is a diversion
from the main requirement of a dialogue. Its position is that Pakistan
has to prove its innocence. Then India should agree for an impartial monitor
on the loc. But it does not allow UN observers to function on its side
of the line. So we don't know how to satisfy the Indian requirement.
Q. Are
you hopeful that talks will resume?
A.
I have hope in the Indian prime minister.
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METRO TODAY
Ayodhya
is an issue that is pre-determined. And it matters little in the present
fuss that the foremost casualty is the truth, writes INDIA TODAY Deputy
Editor Swapan Dasgupta in 
