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India on Musharraf plea for to demilitarise Kashmir
by Vikram Vishal

     New Delhi: The Indian Government on Tuesday reacted cautiously to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's suggestion to demilitarise both sides of Kashmir, saying that such a move could not be undertaken "unilaterally". Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of YK Sabharwal as the country's new Chief Justice at the President's official residence, External Affairs Minister K.Natwar Singh said: "It can't be done unilaterally." "After all, they (Pakistan) are in occupation of our areas," he said when asked about Musharraf's proposal of demilitarising the region to provide comfort to earthquake affected people on both sides of the Line of Control.

    Musharraf, who was addressing a press conference at his camp ofice in Rawalpindi on Monday, said that the situation created by the October 8 earthquake should be seen by both Pakistan and India as a great opportunity to work towards the resolution of Kashmir. He further said that after Islamabad and New Delhi had agreed to open five separate points on both sides of the LoC, both sides could take more steps to facilitate a solution of the Kashmir issue. He also ruled out any cut in defence expenditures as Pakistan was not ready to compromise on its security and defence. Singh also adviced Musharraf not to "over- verbalise" issues, as they did not help in resolving existing ground realities. Every second day there is a statement from that side (Pakistan)," he contended. The minister made it clear that he would have to assess Musharraf's statement in detail before coming out with a more definite response. Asked about Musharraf's proposal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said "I am not commenting on anything today". Taking a tough line, the Prime Minister had last night forthrightly told Musharraf that there were "external linkages" of terrorists involved in Saturday's blasts here and asked him to act against terrorism directed against India. "India expects Pakistan to act against terrorism directed against India," the Prime Minister said when Musharraf telephoned him to convey condolences for those who lost their lives in the Saturday serial blasts in the capital.

    Musharraf had called the Prime Minister shortly after telling reporters in Rawalpindi that Pakistan was ready to extend "unequivocal support" to India in the investigation of the "dastardly terrorist" attack, suspected to have been carried out by Pakistan-based militant outfit Lashker-e-Toiba. Singh had bluntly told Musharraf that the country was outraged at these heinous acts of terrorism. "We continued to be disturbed and dismayed at indications of the external linkages of terrorist groups with the 29th October bombing", Singh told Musharraf. Clearly, New Delhi's message to Islamabad is that cross-border terrorism must be stopped forthwith and tangible action taken on the ground to prove it was committed to honouring its pledge to India. Keeping in view India's serious concerns, the Prime Minister had chosen to again draw Musharraf's attention to Pakistan's commitment to end cross-border terrorism. It was emphasised that "violence against civilians can never be justified" and that terrorism would never weaken India's resolve or its commitment to the country's unity and territorial integrity.

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