Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Settlement of Kashmir be found which is acceptable to India, Pakistan and Kashmiris; Inderfurth
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP):
The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth on Jan. 21 urged India and Pakistan to find a solution to Kashmir dispute which was acceptable to them as well as to the people of Kashmir. Briefing the press at the end of his 2-day visit to Pakistan, Inderfurth expressed his deep concern over the current tension between two nuclear-capable neighbours. During the talks with Chief Executive Gen. Musharraf and Pakistani officials, he said, " We expressed our deep concern about the current tension in the South Asia."
"We continue to urge both Pakistan and India to exercise maximum restraint, to enter into negotiations," and find a, " solution which is acceptable to both parties and in respect of Kashmir, we believe to the Kashmiri people." The US President Bill Clinton, he said had said he would, "play an active role in starting such negotiations between the two parties." The US can always "be helpful," if there are proper conditions and," both parties agree that we should play a role," said Inderfurth. To a question on his discussion on the recent hijacking of the Indian airliner, he said," of course that was discussed. It is a matter of great concern to all." He said the next step in the hijacking incident of an Indian airliner was to find the hijackers and to bring them to justice. "We received assurances from the Government of Pakistan they have every intention to undertake such a mission if they come across the hijackers they would be brought to justice. We urge them to make every effort to determine their location and to do that, we also informed that the US make that, as the priority as well. I believe that the hijackers will be found, they cannot disappear from the face of the earth.
Inderfurth said once hijackers were brought to the justice , the message would be conveyed that their action in any shape was not acceptable to the international community. On his talks with Pakistani leadership and senior officials, Inderfurth said, "each of the meeting was very useful exchange to better understand not only our concerns," but ," the steps that have been envisioned to address these concerns." "Our meetings were candid and useful as I understand should be between the friends. We did not come here to lecture. We came here to exchange views," he said. "We have been very pleased to have the opportunity to meet with the officials of the Government here. They were most generous in the time they gave us. We have two hours with Gen. Musharraf, an hour and a half with the Foreign Minister Sattar," said Inderfurth. On the question of non- proliferation and CTBT, He said the US," position on signature on CTBT is well known. We believe that Pakistan's security will be enhanced by signing the CTBT and this is in Pakistan's national interest as well as in the interest of regional security and stability." He hoped that the national consensus on the issue will be developed in Pakistan.
He said signature on CTBT would not affect Pakistan's right to maintain deterrence. "Every nation has a sovereign right to determine its own defence requirements. This treaty is about nuclear tests and not about possession of nuclear weapons," he said.
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