Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 7/07/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-277970

TITLE= PAK / INDIA SUMMIT (L-ONLY)

DATELINE= ISLAMABAD

BYLINE= JON TKACH

VOICED AT=

CONTENT=

INTRO: Pakistan's President, General Pervez Musharraf, hopes to meet Kashmiri separatist leaders later this month when he visits New Delhi. India staunchly opposes such meetings, and says the separatists have no role to play at General Musharraf's talks with Indian leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee. VOA's Jon Tkach in Islamabad reports that Pakistan is hoping to use the Musharraf visit to start a political dialogue on Kashmir.

TEXT: Just last month, military leader General Pervez Musharraf told Pakistanis he would be going to India, in his words, "to change history". He expressed

optimism that a solution to the long-standing Kashmir dispute could be worked out during his talks with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

But during a briefing Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Riaz Mohammed Khan sounded a bit more cautious.

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Kashmir is the root cause of tensions between India and Kashmir, and we are looking forward to the summit resulting in a process, which leads to a solution of

the Kashmir problem.

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His statements come as General Musharraf makes a renewed attempt to arrange a meeting with a group of Kashmiri separatist leaders (of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference) during his stay in New Delhi.

India has repeatedly barred meetings between Pakistani leaders and representatives of the Kashmiri separatist movement, and has staunchly maintained that the separatists have no role to play at the summit.

But Mr. Khan says the Kashmiri leaders may have the chance to meet the general during a reception at Pakistan's embassy in New Delhi.

/// SECOND KHAN ACT ///

We believe that consultations with them are essential for progress towards a just solution to the Kashmir dispute acceptable to the Kashmiri people.

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General Musharraf sent a letter this week to the separatist leaders, saying he would still like to work out a way to meet with them, despite India's opposition.

Indian officials have said the move will not help relations between the two countries in advance of the summit.

/// REST OPT ///

Pakistan admits to providing moral support-- but not funding-- for the separatists in Indian-controlled Kashmir, some of whom are seeking to become part of Pakistan and others who want full independence for the region.

The two recent nuclear powers, both of which claim the whole of Kashmir, have fought two wars over Kashmir since they were separated at independence more than 50 years ago.

The last round of India/Pakistan dialog in 1999 fell apart after intense border fighting broke out -- sending them again to the brink of war. (signed)

NEB/JON/PFH