Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=7/10/2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-278086

TITLE=PAK / INDIA SUMMIT (L Only)

BYLINE= AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: India has announced a series of confidence-building measures ahead

of a summit meeting between Indian and Pakistani leaders on Sunday. But

Pakistan has shown little excitement over the moves, saying it is determined to keep the focus of the summit on the dispute over Kashmir. From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.

TEXT: A move to establish special border checkpoints, including one along the cease-fire line in the disputed Kashmir region, is one of the confidence building measures announced by India this week. The checkpoints are aimed at facilitating visits to India by Pakistanis. The moves by New Delhi come ahead of the summit meeting between President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

But officials in Pakistan say the gestures are aimed at shifting the summit's focus away from what they call "the core issue of Kashmir."

A spokesman for President Musharraf, Rashid Quereshi, says the other issues should be raised later - and flow out of the Agra summit.

///QURESHI ACT///

For 50 years the question of Kashmir has bedeviled the relations between the two countries. If that is the area that has spoiled relations between the two countries, if that is the problem, it needs to be resolved. What better confidence building measures than to remove the main irritant.

///END ACT///

President Musharraf's talks with Prime Minister Vajpayee will be the first such contact between the two rival nations since they were pushed to the brink of their third war over Kashmir two years ago. President Musharraf's spokesman hopes the upcoming summit meeting will help settle the conflict.

///QURESHI ACT///

There should not be an over assessment or much of hype or expectations.

However, the very fact that talks are starting, in my opinion, is something

that had not happened for the last two years. It is a very good development

and we hope it will lead to the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

///END ACT///

India controls two-thirds of Kashmir and says the region is an integral

part of the country. Pakistan, which controls the other third of the territory, insists that the people there be given the right to vote on its status. All previous attempts by India and Pakistan to settle the conflict have failed and most analysts say there is little chance of a breakthrough at this week's summit. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/KBK