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22 October 2003

U.S. Welcomes India's Proposals to Pakistan

State's Ereli calls them a major step towards establishing normal links

The United States welcomes proposals from the Indian government to improve ties with Pakistan by reopening several transportation links, as well as resuming sports competitions and other people-to-people contacts.

The Indian government also announced that it would meet with members of the Kashmiri separatist movement for the first time.

The United States "warmly welcomes these proposals," said State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli.

Speaking at the October 22 State Department briefing, Ereli described the proposals as representing "a major step toward establishing normal links between these two important neighbors and for providing a foundation for real progress in resolving differences between India and Pakistan."

Following is an excerpt from the October 22 State Department briefing:

(begin excerpt)

QUESTION: Do you have any comment on India's new proposals with regard to Pakistan opening up some more border crossings, talking directly to Kashmiri separatists, and maybe resuming sports cooperation?

MR. ERELI: Yes. We note that today, at a press conference in New Delhi, India's Minister of External Affairs put forward a series of proposals to significantly upgrade transportation links and people-to-people contacts between India and Pakistan. We warmly welcome these proposals. They represent a major step toward establishing normal links between these two important neighbors, and for providing a foundation for real progress in resolving differences between India and Pakistan.

QUESTION: Do you think it's a good idea, the idea of talking directly to separatists? Do you welcome that too, or just the transportation stuff?

MR. ERELI: We've been encouraging increased engagement between the parties, and we welcome steps that do that.

(end excerpt)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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