DATE=1/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / U-S (L)
NUMBER=2-258070
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Four U-S senators have concluded a two-
day fact-finding mission to Pakistan. The
lawmakers met with Pakistan's military ruler,
General Pervez Musharraf, and representatives of
the country's political parties to discuss
democracy and security in South Asia. From
Islamabad, Ayaz Gul has the story.
TEXT: Pakistani and U-S officials have said
little about the talks, although some have
acknowledged Friday's meetings focused on
international terrorism, Pakistan's reluctance to
sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
and the country's dispute with India over
Kashmir. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle,
leader of the U-S delegation, says it has been a
good visit.
In an official statement issued after the talks,
Pakistan says it hopes the United States will
play an active role in helping to resolve the
Kashmir dispute. Tariq Altaf is the spokesman
for Pakistan's foreign ministry.
/// ALTAF ACT//
The U-S in our view has the capacity to
play a moderating and a constructive role
particularly in the promotion of peace and
security in the region, which is predicated
on a just and fair settlement of the core
dispute of Kashmir.
/// END ACT ///
Before the delegation's arrival, U-S officials
said they would press for the restoration of
democracy in Pakistan. The armed forces took
over the government in October. The military
ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, has so far
refused to set a date for a return to democratic
rule in Pakistan. The general says that, before
calling elections, he wants to clean up
Pakistan's political system and improve the
economy.
The U-S team also held talks with politicians,
including leaders of ousted Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif's political party, the Pakistan Muslim
League. Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, a spokesman for the
party, led the talks with the senators.
/// HAQ ACT ///
What we told them (the visiting U-S team)
was that there should be a better
understanding of Pakistan's position vis-a-
vis CTBT(Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) or
our security concerns and lack of
democracy.
/// END ACT ///
Another U-S senator, Sam Brownback, is due to
arrive in Islamabad Saturday for similar talks.
The meetings precede a visit to Pakistan by U-S
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Karl
Inderfurth, later this month. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/LTD/KL
14-Jan-2000 10:36 AM EDT (14-Jan-2000 1536 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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