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Pak general urges India prove `sincerity`, halt LoC fencing

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Jan 11, IRNA -- A high-ranking military official of 
Pakistan on Sunday called India to prove `sincerity` and stop fencing 
of the Line of Control, dividing the two parts of Kashmir region. 
Talking to IRNA, Director General of Inter-Services Public 
Relations Major General Shaukat Sultan said Indian Army has taken 
advantage of the on-going ceasefire in the LoC. "We expect New Delhi 
o prove its sincerity in the bilateral peace process and bring its 
fencing of the line to a halt." 
Both sides are observing a ceasefire since November 26 last year 
on LoC and Siachen Glacier as India responded positively to Pakistan`s
unilateral offer. 
The Army spokesman also said that the LoC fencing was in violation
of the United Nations resolutions as well as the agreements reached 
earlier between Islamabad and New Delhi. 
LoC divides both parts of Kashmir, one under Pakistan`s control 
and the other under India`s. It is a ceasefire line between the two 
countries and neither side is entitled to change its status to a 
permanent border prior to the consent of the other. 
"Pakistan wishes that the current ceasefire would be followed by 
permanent peace, but violation of the ceasefire in form of fencing is 
an impediment in the process," he added. 
To a question, however, Major General Sultan confirmed there was 
no violation of the recent ceasefire. "Both the countries are 
observing it since November 26." 
The former ceasefire line was named LoC under the Simla Agreement 
in 1972. UN observer offices were set up in Srinagar (capital of 
Kashmir under India control), Muzaffarabad (capital of Kashmir under 
Pakistan) and Pakistani city of Rawalpindi to monitor it. 
The general expressed the optimism that owing to the "positive 
approach" of the both countries` leadership, the fencing issue would 
be resolved through dialogue. 
Last Tuesday, Pakistan and India issued a joint statement here 
announcing start of bilateral formal peace process talks in February. 
It was issued following a meeting between Pakistani President General 
Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on the
sidelines of the 12th SAARC summit meeting. 
"The positive approach of the leaders and their meetings were very
effective for reduction of tension along the borders of the two 
countries," Shaukat Sultan added. 
Indian and Pakistani border commanders met last month after a two-
year suspension and agreed on restoring routine joint monitoring of 
the border and bilateral meetings. 
The monitoring will be on a daily basis and the meetings will hold
monthly, he said. 
SHS/TSH/211 
End