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DATE=7/11/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251646
TITLE=PAK/KASHMIR/INDIA (L)
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  PAKISTANI OFFICIALS HAVE ANNOUNCED (SUNDAY) ISLAMIC  
GUERRILLA GROUPS HAVE BEGUN TO WITHDRAW THEIR FORCES FROM 
MOUNTAIN POSITIONS ON THE INDIANSIDE OF KASHMIR. THE DEVELOPMENT 
COMES AFTER A PAKISTANI APPEAL TO THE GUERRILLAS TO HELP DEFUSE 
THE WORST MILITARY SHOWDOWN BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN IN 
30-YEARS.  AYAZ GUL REPORTS FROM THE PAKISTANI CAPITAL.
TEXT:   PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, SARTAJ AZIZ, SAYS TOP 
MILITARY OFFICIALS OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE MET TWICE IN THE 
PAST TWO DAYS TO AGREE ON A SECTOR-BY-SECTOR CESSATION OF 
HOSTILITIES ALONG THE DISPUTED BORDER IN KASHMIR.
                         // AZIZ ACT //
         WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE KAKSAR
         SECTOR (IN KASHMIR) WHICH BEGAN YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) HAS
         BEEN PROCEEDING SATISFACTORILY. THE DISENGAGEMENT FROM 
         THE MASHKOH SECTOR WILL COMMENCE TONIGHT (SUNDAY) . 
         GRADUALLY THE DISENGAGEMENT WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE 
         ENTIRE AREA.
                           //END ACT//
MR. AZIZ SAYS THE AGREEMENT TO CEASE HOSTILITIES ALONG THE LINE 
OF CONTROL THAT DIVIDES KASHMIR IS AIMED AT FACILITATING THE 
MUJAHIDIN (FREEDOM FIGHTERS) TO WITHDRAW FROM MOUNTAIN POSITIONS 
ON THE INDIAN SIDE OF KASHMIR. 
PAKISTANI OFFICIALS HAVE REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER THE ISLAMIC 
GUERRILLAS FIGHTING INDIAN TROOPS WOULD WITHDRAW TO THE PAKISTANI
SIDE OF THE LINE OF CONTROL OR MOVE TO OTHER AREAS. THE 
INSURGENTS, AS PAKISTAN PUTS IT WILL DISENGAGE AND DISPERSE FROM 
THE AREAS OF FIGHTING.
FOR ITS PART, NEW DEHLI ACCUSES PAKISTAN OF SENDING ARMED 
INSURGENTS INTO ITS TERRITORY TO OCCUPY STRATEGIC HEIGHTS. 
THE AGREEMENT  COMES ONE WEEK AFTER  A MEETING IN WASHINGTON 
BETWEEN PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF AND PRESIDENT CLINTON DURING 
WHICH THEY AGREED CONCRETE STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN TO END THE 
LATEST KASHMIR CRISIS.   
PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN UNDER INTENSE INTERNATIONAL 
PRESSURE TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS IN KASHMIR, TO AVOID A WIDER 
CONFLICT WITH INDIA.  PRIME MINISTER SHARIF HAS  ALSO COME UNDER 
FIRE FROM HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS AND ISLAMIC PARTIES FOR SEEKING
THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE GUERRILLAS FROM INDIAN KASHMIR. THEY 
ACCUSED HIM OF BETRAYING THE KASHMIRI PEOPLE.  
MR. SHARIF IS DUE TO ADDRESS THE PAKISTANI PARLIAMENT ON MONDAY, 
WHEN HE IS EXPECTED TO DEFEND HIS KASHMIR POLICY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/PT
11-Jul-99 4:58 PM EDT (2058 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.