DATE=8/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / KASHMIR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265074
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton has telephoned Indian Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to express personal
condolences after the deadly extremist attacks on
Hindus in Indian Kashmir. More than 90 people were
killed in the incident. The U-S administration is
urging all parties with interests in the disputed
region to renounce violence. VOA's David Gollust
reports from the White House.
TEXT: Mr. Clinton - who visited India and Pakistan in
March - has been personally involved in Kashmir
diplomacy since helping defuse a potential clash over
the disputed area in July of last year.
Aides say that in a ten-minute telephone talk with
Mr. Vajpayee, he expressed sympathy and condolence
over Tuesday's events, while also commending the
Indian leader for his stated determination to press on
with peace efforts in Kashmir despite the loss of
life.
The killing spree - aimed mainly at Hindu migrant
workers - came a week after one of Kashmir's main
Muslim militant groups, the Hizbul Mujahedin -
declared a three-month truce and said it would begin
talks with the Indian government.
At a briefing, State Department spokesman Philip
Reeker called the attacks "wanton acts of inhumanity"
that are clearly aimed at undermining the cease-fire,
and said they underscore again the "pressing need" for
all those involved in the conflict to renounce
violence and resolve their differences by peaceful
means.
///REEKER ACTUALITY///
This will take courage, wisdom and
determination. We welcome the statement of
Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee that India will
continue to pursue the path of peace. We urge
the governments and organizations involved to
carry the process forward and not to allow the
enemies of peace to sabotage this promising
intiative.
///END ACT///
Indian has blamed the killings on factions directed by
Pakistan. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry condemned the
civilian deaths while suggesting the killings might be
the work of renegade elements of the Indian army.
Officials here said President Clinton did not intend
to directly contact Pakistani military leader General
Pervez Musharaff, but that U-S diplomats would talk to
Pakistani officials and urge them to "use their
influence" to bring an end to the violence.
Because of Indian objections, the Clinton
administration has not sought to mediate over Kashmir,
which has been in dispute since India and Pakistan
became independent more than a half-century ago.
(SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/KBK
02-Aug-2000 15:50 PM EDT (02-Aug-2000 1950 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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