Obama: US can't impose solution to Kashmir, but offer to find one stands
New Delhi: US President Barack Obama on Monday said the United States 'cannot impose a solution to Kashmir,'
but had offered to help the two countries work out the problem, saying he believed both 'have an interest in reducing tensions.' Addressing the joint press conference
with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Obama said: " US could not impose a
solution
on Kashmir ." "Dialogue between India and Pakistan may not begin on the particular
flashpoint (Kashmir)," said Obama adding, "I believe that it is in the interest
of India and Pakistan to reduce tensions between themselves and the US cannot
impose solutions to these problems." Agreeing that there is a need for all nations
in the region to take steps to ensure that there are no safe havens for terrorists,
Obama said, "I indicated to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that that I am happy
to play any role the two parties may want to reduce tensions between the two
countries."
"Both the countries involved hope that conversations will take place to resolve
the issue," he added. Praising Dr. Singh, Obama said: "Manmohan Singh throughout
his Prime Ministership has consistently spoken out both privately and publicly
on his desire and personal commitment to reducing tensions between India and
Pakistan
. I very much commend him on that." He is sincere and relentless in his desire
for peace. So my hope is that both sides can over the next several months or years
find mechanisms that are appropriate to work out on these issues," he added.
