Daily Excelsior....News Page

‘Kashmir root cause of conflicts’
Musharraf continues hardline stand

ISLAMABAD, July 20: Continuing his hardline approach, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf insisted tonight that Jammu and Kashmir issue is central to the resolution of Indo-Pak problems and bluntly stated that there would be no forward movement in the peace process if India clung to its stand that the State was its integral part.

At a two-hour long press conference telecast live even by Indian networks and attended by a large number of Indian journalists, who had specially flown for the event, the military ruler blew hot and cold being lavish in his praise for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and at the same time maintaining with straight face there was indigenous "freedom struggle" in the State where 70,000 people have been killed.

Rejecting India’s stand that he was "unifocal, narrow and segmented" in his approach in Agra, Musharraf said he hoped to carry forward the peace process started in Agra which he said could be the basis for future engagement.

But on another occasion, he said he would not mind starting from any base — whether Simla Accord or Lahore Declaration — as long as Kashmir was addressed. However, he said, both the accords did not address Kashmir and that was why they did not move forward.

The press conference was a virtual repeat of his controversial breakfast meeting with Indian editors in Agra where he repeatedly emphasised that Kashmir was the root cause of conflicts between India and Pakistan and needed to be addressed first. Other issues could be taken up in tandem and simultaneously, he said.

Expressing the hope that Vajpayee and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh would visit Pakistan before the likely meeting between Vajpayee and him in New York, Musharraf said Kashmir is the focus of the problem. "Let’s get to the root and heart of the problem."

He said that twice he and Vajpayee were very close to an agreement during the summit. "We were so close and ended up so far. It saddened me."

Outlining a step by step approach for carrying forward the negotiation process, he said the first step was already taken by the Prime Minister by inviting him to Agra but they were now stuck at step two — recognition of Kashmir as dispute.

Musharraf said the third step could be an elimination process by which what was not acceptable in both countries could be avoided to be followed by the fourth step of a focus on some kind of a solution.

Asked what was the formula, he said it has to be worked out for which there was a need for a structure. However, he said he did not have any time-frame for this complex issue.

Maintaining that he returned empty handed from Agra, Musharraf said still he was not disappointed because there was tremendous goodwill and understanding generated. But more than that the resolve to carry forward the peace process was most encouraging.

"We have made a good beginning and resolved that the process will continue," he said adding "I want to close the chapter of hostility, suspicion and mistrust."

The President said vast majority of people on both sides wanted resolution of the problem and peace in the sub-continent except for extremists who could be ignored.

He made it clear that he had never said he would not discuss other issues but was prepared to discuss issues like Siachen, Sir Creek and nuclear restraint but there could be no movement on these unless the main problem was resolved.

Asked in the face of wide gap in perception between the two countries a solution could be found with national honour intact on both sides, he said "if by national honour we mean that Kashmir cannot be debated and discussed then we cannot move forward."

To a question about his ruling out a military solution to the Kashmir issue, he said "people cannot be supressed. We must learn lessons from history. There cannot be a military solution between India and Pakistan."

However, he said India and Pakistan are big, responsible and understanding countries and are capable of resolving their problems bilaterally.

Asking the people and media of the two countries to strengthen the hands of moderates, he said both Vajpayee and himself tried their best to reach a settlement and twice they had almost reached an agreement in Agra. The efforts must be carried forward, he added.

Expressing optimism about peace between the two countries in future, he said it would be possible if intentions of both countries are sincere.

To a question about preparations for future talks, he said India and Pakistan need to address the realities and hardly any preparations are required if there is a desire to resolve real issues.

"Preparations may be required if we want to juggle around instead of catching the bull by the horn," he said. (PTI)

Fierce fighting in Mendhar, posts damaged
3 Indian, 5 Pak jawans killed
*5 mercenaries gunned down in Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, July 20: Pakistan army opened heavy firing on Indian positions on the Line of Control (LoC) in Balnoi area of Mendhar sector killing three security personnel—two army and a BSF jawan this morning. Retaliatory firing by Indian side led to some casualties on Pakistan army but their exact number was not known.

Meanwhile, troops gunned down five foreign mercenaries in two encounters at Sabjian, Mandi and Surankot while the militants launched a major attack on SOG headquarters in Surankot late last night but failed to cause any casualty or damage.

Official sources said Pakistani troops opened heavy firing on two forward Indian pickets in Balnoi area of Mendhar sector this morning. Heavy firing coupled with grenade and rocket attacks was aimed at pushing trained militants into Indian territory.

Two security pickets, located close to the LoC, suffered extensive damage in Pakistan army’s firing. Two army and a BSF jawan Dinesh Kumar were killed in the firing.

Troops from their surrounding pickets replied the firing by enemy troops effectively and silenced their guns within half an hour. Sources said some casualties were also suspected on Pakistan side in retaliatory firing. Though the exact number of casualties on the other side couldn’t be ascertained it could be between three to five, they added. Some Pakistani bunkers were also damaged.

According to sources, Pakistan side tried to push two big group of foreign mercenaries under the cover of extensive firing but their attempt was foiled by army. Pakistan side used heavy fire arms and rockets in the attack.

Indian side has taken strong view of unprovoked firing by Pakistan on the LoC.

Meanwhile, a fierce encounter took place between army, police and militants in Sheela forest area of Sabjian in Mandi belt this evening. A hideout of six to seven militants was surrounded by troops and policemen and the ultras hiding inside were challenged.

Both sides traded heavy arms firing for more than two hours. Till late this evening when the reports last came in, troops had eliminated four foreign mercenaries without suffering any casualty on their side. Four AK-56 rifles and a huge quantity of ammunition and explosives have been recovered from the scene of encounter. One army jawan was also killed in the operation.

Two to three militants deserted the hideout and fled into a forest area. They were being chased by army in the forests. However, they remained untraced till late tonight.

Slain militants were activists of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and were Pakistanis. Two of them have been identified as Fazal Hussain son of Jalal Din of Bagh, Muzaffarabad, PoK and Gaza alias Qasim of PoK.

Another foreign mercenary was eliminated by army in Surankot area late last night. He has been identified as Mohd Rafiq son of Nizam-ud-Din, a resident of Kojarwal, Pakistan. One AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 40 rounds and a pouch were recovered from the possession of Mohd Rafiq.

Rafiq was an activist of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Pir Panjal Regiment.

Militants lobbed a series of grenades on Special Operations Group (SOG) headquarters at Surankot last night. A couple of grenades fell close to the family quarters of SOG officials but exploded harmlessly.

SOG personnel took positions from their headquarters and opened firing aiming the direction of militants. However, the ultras managed to escape. In the morning, army and SOG jointly conducted searches in the area but the militants remained untraced.