ASSOCIATED PRESS OF PAKISTAN
NEWS SUMMARY
(23-03-2000)
General Musharraf made positive moves for military de-escalation
LAHORE, March 23 (APP) The British House of Lords in its debate on Pakistan widely acknowledged that General Musharraf has made positive moves by unilaterally implementing a military de-escalation on Pakistan's international borders with India and announcing that Pakistan would welcome unconditional, equitable and result oriented dialogue with India to resolve all issues, especially core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The House of Lords in an interesting, high quality lengthy debate on Pakistan on January 19 last also touched in detail the core issue of Kashmir with grave concern, Reports APP, Special Correspondent Dr. Waqar Chaudhary. Lord Avebury said that "Chief Executive undertook to try to settle outstanding issues with India, a task which always eluded his predecessors. He has reiterated that he wants to resume talks based on equitable solution. There is no doubtthat if this could be achieved it would transform the relations between India and Pakistanand lead to rapid development of the subcontinent. It would end the nuclear arms race ". Lord Moyinhan said, "In July, President Clinton, on the subject of Kashmir, said that he would take a personal interest in encouraging an expeditious resumption of bilateral efforts to resolve all issues dividing India and Pakistan, including Kashmir, once the sanctity of the line of control had been fully restored".
The British House of Lords attached great importance to the early peaceful and durable solution of Kashmir dispute as " Due to Kashmir issue sub-continent has emerged as an insecure region of the world and becoming rapidly more tense" said Baroness William of Crosby. " It is properand right to ask Pakistan and India to resume their discussions. Indeed, I believe that it is vital for the world---otherwise we may see an escalation into real danger in that region" Baroness William cautioned. Perhaps they (UK government) can tell us what urgent steps they are taking to try to obtain the international community's support for a new attempts to resolve the terrible, long lasting and increasingly dangerous problem of Kashmir. Baroness Scotland of Asthal said that "British can not and should not turn its back on Pakistan and its people. Baroness Strange on this occasion said " Two of my sonsare currently setting up an interest start-up company, Ascot-Drummond, based in London and Pakistan. We therefore already have many friends in Pakistan and much goodwill towardsPakistani people".
Viscount Waverley said " The internal affairs of Pakistan and related complexities of Afghanistan and Kashmir require a more resolute application and calculated approach by external decision-makers".He said that "Pakistan is embroiled in two unsettling external situations, which must also be addressed that of Afghanistan and Kashmir". Lord said Kashmiris have a case that is to be answered, realistically. He said "It is worth mentioning that themajority of Pakistanis living in Britain are in fact of Kashmiri origin. This has enormous significance and 31 new Labour constituencies are influenced by Kashmir Pakistanis". TheLord Bishop of Rochester said " Let us encourage the rebuilding of Pakistan according to plan left by Iqbal, by Jinnah and by the first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. However, none of this is achievable without a resolution of the Kashmir dispute. It is urgent to address how the international community could facilitate negotiations between India and Pakistan, and indeed, also include the Kashmiri people". Lord Weatherill said thatdespite Pakistan's suspension from the commonwealth and blacklisting by other members of the international community, General Musharraf has not sought to isolate his regime but has made efforts to ensure that his country is a responsible player on the international stage. He has announced a unilateral military de-escalation on international borders with India in an attempt to defuse tension between the two countries and has calledfor " unconditional, equitable and a result oriented dialogue"seeking to resolve the core problem of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lord Ahmed speaking on the occasion observed that "It is imperativethat we put pressure on India. The United Nations resolutions on Kashmir are valid. No bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan can supersede the United Nations resolutions, because the United Nations is the supreme legal body". said Lord Ahmed. Lord Ahmed said " Nobodyprevents the implementation of the United Nations resolutions on Kashmir. Furthermore, India is not a great democracy it pretends to be. It has 700,000 soldiers committing gross human rights violations in Kashmir". He alleged that "India's Interior Minister K. L. Advani, pursues fascist policies: he was responsible for the destruction and demolition of the Babari mosque and the slaughter of 2,000 innocent civilians. He (Advani) continuouslythreatens to take Azad Kashmir, a beautiful heaven on earth where I was born". Lord Ahmed said " Recently when General Musharraf's envoy went across the globe to explain the situation in Pakistan, he (envoy) was met by top politicians in Japan and America; in Washington, by the Assistant Secretary of State. However, we failed to produce a single politician to meet him. That policy of non-engagement at ministerial level has to change. I want to see more help and co-operation with Pakistan at the highest level. I understand and support Her Majesty's Government's foreign policy. However, I ask the minister to understand the British Pakistani community and its expectations".
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