DATE=7/2/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251369
TITLE=PAK / INDIA /KASHMIR (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PAKISTAN'S POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP MET FRIDAY
TO RENEW ISLAMABAD'S CALL FOR A NEGOTIATED END TO THE CONFLICT
WITH INDIA OVER KASHMIR. THE CONFRONTATION HAS LED TO FEARS OF
AN ALL-OUT WAR BETWEEN THE WORLD'S NEWEST NUCLEAR POWERS. AYAZ
GUL REPORTS FROM ISLAMABAD.
TEXT: WITH MILITARY CONFRONTATION BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN
GROWING, A KEY DEFENSE COMMITTEE OF THE PAKISTANI CABINET HAS
EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT INDIA WILL REALIZE THE SERIOUS
CONSEQUENCES OF A WIDER CONFLICT.
AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED AFTER A MEETING OF THE DEFENSE
COMMITTEE, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF, SAYS
PAKISTAN DOES NOT WANT WAR WITH INDIA. BUT IT ADDS THAT
PAKISTAN IS FULLY CAPABLE OF GIVING AN EFFECTIVE RESPONSE IF WAR
IS IMPOSED ON IT.
THE COMMITTEE, WHICH INCLUDES MR. SHARIF'S MILITARY CHIEFS, HAS
RENEWED PAKISTAN'S CALL FOR A NEGOTIATED END TO THE CRISIS IN
KASHMIR. IT ALSO ACCUSES INDIA OF FAILING TO RESPOND TO PREVIOUS
PAKISTANI MOVES TO DEFUSE THE TENSION AND WANTS NEGOTIATIONS TO
SETTLE THE DISPUTE OVER KASHMIR.
INDIA, WHICH CONTENDS PAKISTANI FORCES ARE ACTIVELY SUPPORTING
INFILTRATORS IN INDIAN KASHMIR, SAYS THERE CAN BE NO TALKS
UNTIL PAKISTAN ENDS ITS INVOLVEMENT. ISLAMABAD SAYS IT HAS NO
CONTROL OVER THE INFILTRATORS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
PAKISTANI OFFICIALS SAY THE GUERRILLA FIGHTERS INDIA IS TRYING TO
FLUSH OUT (FROM THE KARGIL REGION) ARE KASHMIRI MUJAHEDIN [HOLY
WARRIORS] SEEKING INDEPENDENCE FROM INDIA. PAKISTAN SAYS IT
PROVIDES POLITICAL, MORAL AND DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT TO THE KASHMIRI
GROUPS IN THEIR FIGHT FOR FREEDOM FROM INDIA -- BUT NOTHING
MORE.
THE DISPUTE OVER KASHMIR HAS ALREADY LED TO TWO WARS BETWEEN
INDIA AND PAKISTAN. THE TWO RIVAL NATIONS ARE THE WORLD'S NEWEST
NUCLEAR POWERS, WHICH HAS INCREASED FEARS THAT A CONVENTIONAL WAR
BETWEEN THEM COULD ESCALATE TO A NUCLEAR EXCHANGE. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/LTD/WTW
02-Jul-99 3:10 PM EDT (1910 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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