Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistan, India talks remain inconclusive

IRNA

Islamabad, Aug 28, IRNA -- Civil aviation officials from Pakistan and 
India could not reach any decision to resume air links between the two
countries, according to a joint statement. 
"The two sides agreed to continue talks," the statement said. 
However no dates have been fixed for the talks. 
The five member Indian delegation at the talks was led by Director
General of Civil Aviation Satendra Singh while Additional Secretary 
at Ministry of Defence Major General Mohammad Ashraf Chaudhry was 
leading the Pakistani delegation. 
"The talks were held in a cordial and businesslike atmosphere," 
the statement said. 
According to a Pakistani statement, Major-General Mohammad Ashraf 
Chaudhary emphasized the importance of early resumption of air links 
for promoting people-to-people contacts. 
The invitation for the two day talks was extended to India by 
Pakistan to improve people-to-people contact between the two 
countries, he said. 
Air, bus and train service between the South Asia nations was cut 
following a December 13, 2001, attack on the Indian Parliament that 
killed 14 people. New Delhi claimed Pakistan`s intelligence agency had
a role in the attack. Pakistan denied the charges. 
After a year of tension that brought the nuclear-armed rivals to 
the brink of war last year, tensions have eased and both sides have 
expressed a desire for peace talks. 
Bus links resumed in July, and ambassador-level contacts were 
restored. Talks to restore train links are also on the table. 
TK/TSH/212 
End