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DATE=2/20/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245751
TITLE=INDO / PAK BUS (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=LAHORE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF MET INDIAN PRIME 
MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE AS HE STEPPED OFF A BUS IN PAKISTAN
AT THE WAGAH BORDER CROSSING.  AS V-O-A'S SCOTT ANGER REPORTS, 
THE INDIAN PRIME MINISTER'S ARRIVAL MARKS A HISTORIC TIME AS BOTH
COUNTRIES WORK TOWARD BETTER RELATIONS.
///SOUNDS OF HONOR GUARD AND MUSIC///
TEXT:  BANDS FROM BOTH INDIA AND PAKISTAN PLAYED THEIR NATIONAL 
ANTHEMS AS INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE STEPPED OFF
A LARGE PASSENGER BUS ONTO PAKISTANI SOIL.  HE WAS MET BY 
PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF JUST A FEW METERS INSIDE 
PAKISTAN.
MR. VAJPAYEE IS ONLY THE SECOND INDIAN PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT 
PAKISTAN SINCE THE TWO COUNTRIES DIVIDED 50 YEARS AGO.
THE HISTORIC VISIT COMES IN THE WAKE OF INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO
RESOLVE LONG-STANDING ISSUES.  BOTH PAKISTAN AND INDIA CONDUCTED 
NUCLEAR TESTS LAST MAY, WHICH RAISED CONCERNS OF A NUCLEAR 
CONFLICT IN THE REGION.  THE TWO ALSO REMAIN DEADLOCKED OVER THE 
DISPUTED TERRITORY OF KASHMIR.
MUSHAHID HUSSAIN, PAKISTAN'S MINISTER OF INFORMATION, CALLS THE 
VISIT OF THE INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ANOTHER SIGN RELATIONS ARE 
MOVING FORWARD.
                        ///HUSSAIN ACT///
         SUCCESS MEANS WE ARE NOT SHOOTING AT EACH OTHER, IT 
         MEANS WE ARE NOT SHOUTING AT EACH OTHER AND WE ARE NOT 
         TALKING AT EACH OTHER.  WE ARE NOW TALKING TO EACH 
         OTHER.
                          ///END ACT///
BUT SOME GROUPS DO NOT WANT BETTER RELATIONS WITH A NEIGHBOR THEY
CONSIDER AN ENEMY.  THE JAAMAT-I-ISLAMI RELIGIOUS GROUP MARCHED 
THROUGH THE STREETS OF LAHORE PROTESTING THE TALKS.
///SOUNDS OF PROTEST///
POLICE FIRED TEAR GAS INTO A CROWD OF ABOUT 7-THOUSAND PROTESTERS
GATHERED IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY.  THE RELIGIOUS GROUP DEMANDS 
THE RESOLUTION OF ISSUES, SUCH AS KASHMIR, BEFORE RELATIONS 
IMPROVE BETWEEN THE COUNTRIES.
ALTHOUGH THE PRIME MINISTERS MET BRIEFLY AT THE BORDER, FORMAL 
TALKS WILL BE HELD SUNDAY AT THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSE IN LAHORE. 
INDIAN SPOKESMAN K. C.SINGH SAYS NO AGENDA HAS BEEN SET FOR THE 
TALKS, ONLY THE WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE BUILDING BETTER 
RELATIONS.
                         ///SINGH ACT///
         THERE IS CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM AS FAR AS INDIA IS CONCERNED.
         THERE IS A COMMITMENT TO TAKE THIS MOMENTUM WHICH IS 
         BUILDING UP AND TO DEVELOP PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN 
         THE TWO COUNTRIES IN A LOGICAL DIRECTION.
                          ///END ACT///
AT A BANQUET, INDIAN PRIME MINISTER VAJPAYEE EXTENDED AN 
INVITATION TO PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER SHARIF TO VISIT INDIA 
SOON. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/GE
20-Feb-99 11:33 AM EST (1633 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.