DATE=8/14/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN / INDIA / L-O
NUMBER=2-252793
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says his
country wants peace with India, in spite of the
downing of a Pakistani naval plane by Indian jets,
Tuesday. But Mr. Sharif is warning India there is - in
his words -- "a limit to everything." As Pakistan
observes its 52nd independence anniversary today, Ayaz
Gul reports tensions remain high between the two rival
nations, with forces from both countries on high
alert.
TEXT: In a speech marking the 52nd anniversary of
Pakistan's independence, Prime Minister Sharif says
India is not serious about establishing peace in the
region.
// SHARIF ACT IN URDU, FADE UNDER //
Prime Minister Sharif says the downing of an unarmed
naval plane by India shows the world which country
wants to destroy peace. Mr. Sharif says Pakistan's
restraint, in the face of a provocative act, should
not be seen as weakness. He says Pakistan has the
capability to respond, if war is imposed on it.
India shot down the Pakistani anti-submarine plane
Tuesday. New Delhi says it was on a spy mission, ten
kilometers inside India's southern border with
Pakistan.
The incident occurred just weeks after the two nuclear
powers came close to war over the disputed Kashmir
region. The crisis ended after Pakistan agreed to call
for the pull-back of the Kashmiri insurgents from
mountain peaks on the Indian side of Kashmir.
Prime Minister Sharif says his government's appeal
last month to Islamic fighters to withdraw from Indian
Kashmir shows Pakistan wants to bring peace to the
region. But he says India's latest military action has
upset his efforts to restore peace between India and
Pakistan.
Mr. Sharif maintains that -- unless the 52-year
Kashmir dispute is resolved -- the threat of another
war between Pakistan and India will remain there.
India refuses Pakistan's call for talks to settle the
Kashmir dispute, saying Islamabad must first stop
sending Muslim militants to Indian Kashmir. Pakistan
denies any involvement with the insurgents. (signed)
NEB / AG / wd / wd
14-Aug-1999 07:38 AM LOC (14-Aug-1999 1138 UTC)
14-Aug-1999 19:53 PM EDT (14-Aug-1999 2353 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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