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Pakistan says talks with India were `cordial, constructive`

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 16, IRNA -- Pakistan described as `cordial and 
constructive` the talks with India on Monday and said the two sides 
discussed modalities and time-frame for the resumption of the 
composite dialogue between the two countries. 
Briefing newsmen in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesman Masood 
Ahmad Khan said the two sides exchanged some proposals, discussion on 
which will be held on Tuesday. 
The spokesman declined to go into details of the proposals but 
emphatically said that Kashmir remains part of the dialogue. 
The Pakistani delegation at the talks is being led by Director 
General South Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jalil Abbas 
Jilani, while the Indian side is headed by Joint Secretary Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Arun Kumar Singh. 
The spokesman said the focal point of the talks includes setting 
agenda for the foreign secretaries dialogue, their structure, format 
and time-frame, to be held on February 18. 
"There is realization in Pakistan and India that war is not an 
option and they will have to look at ways to find a peaceful solution 
of the all outstanding disputes," the spokesman said. 
"We will have to look for solutions which can ensure and guarantee
peace and stability in the region, justice for people of Kashmir and 
also secure future for the people of South Asia." 
The spokesman said the world community is encouraging the two 
countries to hold talks. 
"A new momentum has been set by President Pervez Musharraf and 
Prime Minister (Atal Behari) Vajpayee`s statesmanship shown on 6th of 
last month. This has created a very salutary environment to kick start
the dialogue that remained stalled for two and a half years." 
Referring to the Monday`s talks, the spokesman said that the talks
between the delegations of Pakistan and were held in a cordial 
atmosphere and constructive manner. 
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made on the 
first day, the spokesman said. 
To a question he said Pakistan and India have discussed nuclear 
and conventional CBMs in the past. "As the talks proceed, they would 
like to address the issue of nuclear restraint regime as well." 
Replying to a question the spokesman denied a press report that 
senior Pakistani nuclear scientist Dr. A.Q. Khan suffered a heart 
attack. Dr. Khan is `fine`, the spokesman said. 
To another question, he said Dr. Qadeer is under strict security 
restrictions. 
Responding to questions he said Pakistan is in constant touch with
the IAEA and the two sides are cooperating on the issue of nuclear 
proliferation. 
TK/TSH/AH/210 
End