Author: Report - Agencies
Publication: Free Press Journal
Date: May 29, 2003
Strongly supporting India's move
to extend a hand of friendship to Pakistan, the US on Wednesday categorically
ruled out any mediation on the Kashmir issue, report Agencies.
"Bush administration, despite constant
media speculation to the contrary will not attempt to mediate on the Kashmir
issue". the outgoing US ambassador to India Robert D. Blackwill told a
news conference.
"There will be no American roadmaps.
No American gameplan. No American substantive proposals," Blackwill
said referring to Indo-Pak ties and emphasised that differences between
india and Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally.
No plans to acquire Indian bases:
"United States does not have any
plans to acquire rights to any Indian bases," Blackwill said. "We
do not want any base in India", Blackwill said.
"In fact, the US is at the moment
not going for any new bases outside its soil because of the mobility of
its military hardware," he said. ""he mobility of our aircraft has increased
manifold and hence, we are not going in for any new bases," he explained.
In January 2001, the American and
Indian militaries conducted no joint operations. "Today, they have
completed seven major training exercises and our defence cooperation flourishes,"
Blackwill said.
India should participate in Iraq's
reconstruction :
Observing that India's stand on
coalition military action against Iraq has not damaged US-India relationship,
Blackwill said that Washington has appealed to India to participate in
the reconstruction and stabilisation of Iraq. "The United States
has made inquiries with a number of countries, including India, about participation
in Iraq's reconstruction". Blackwill said.
"The Bush administration hopes that
India will participate in the crucial endeavour so that people of Iraq
could benefit from the technical expertise and historical experience that
India would bring to this mission," Blackwill said.
