Author: UNI
Publication: The Daily Excelsior
Date: May 29, 2003
URL: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/03may29/news.htm#2
Hailing Prime Minister Atal Behari
Vajpayee as a "statesman" for his latest initiative for peace with Pakistan,
Germany today strongly backed India in its fight against cross-border terrorism
and asked Islamabad to put an end to this menace.
"The Prime Minister's peace initiative
is laudable...It must receive an appropriate response from the other side
in a constructive spirit," German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said at
a joint press conference with Mr Vajpayee after their hour-long talks,
covering an entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as international
issues.
The German leader said any civilian
Government was expected to act swiftly if its soil was being used to sponsor
terrorist activities.
Mr Vajpayee also had fruitful meetings
with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and Dr Wolfgang Thierse, president
of the Bundestag (lower house of German Parliament).
In all these meetings, the German
side appreciated the Prime Minister's peace efforts. "There was a meeting
of minds between the two sides much more than ever before," Foreign Secretary
Kanwal Sibal said, briefing reporters on the Prime Minister's engagements
during the day.
Mr Vajpayee, who arrived here yesterday
on a four-day visit to Germany, will leave for Munich tomorrow to address
a meeting of the captains of German industry. He will head to St Petersburg
on Friday to participate in the tri- centenary celebrations of the historic
Russian city.
The highlight of Mr Vajpayee's engagements
today was his one-on-one meeting with the German Chancellor.
Mr Vajpayee hoped the German leader
would ask Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, when the latter visits Berlin
next month, to put an end to cross- border terrorism. He said India was
ready to discuss all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, with Pakistan
if it stopped cross-border terrorism.
Germany has backed India in its
fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross- border terrorism and said Islamabad
must stop infiltration and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in the
interest of peace in the region.
Welcoming Mr Vajpayee's fresh initiative
for peace with Pakistan, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said "we hope
there will be an appropriate response from the other side (to Indian peace
overtures)."
The German leader said any civilian
Government was expected to act swiftly if its soil was being used for cross-border
terrorism.
Asked if he would make this appeal
to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf when he visits Berlin next month,
Chancellor Schroeder remarked "there is an old Indian saying-never talk
about a guest before you have spoken to him."
Mr Vajpayee said "we hope Germany
will ask President Musharraf, when he visits Berlin, to stop cross-border
terrorism...We are ready to talk with Pakistan on all issues, including
Jammu and Kashmir."
He said the Assembly elections in
Jammu and Kashmir in October last year were a major triumph of the Indian
democracy. The people voted overwhelmingly despite intimidation and threats
to candidates by Pakistan-supported terrorist groups in their bid to sabotage
the elections.
"Kashmir Ke Logon Ne Nirnay Le Liya
Hai...Kisi Aur Nirnay Ki Awashyakta Nahin Hai (the people of Jammu and
Kashmir have exercised their opinion in the Assembly polls...There is no
need for them to take any more decision," he said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was
accorded a ceremonial welcome at the German Chancellory. This was followed
by his meeting with the Chancellor Schroeder.
After their hour-long talks, the
two leaders said they shared similar views on almost all major international
issues. They said the two countries had decided to give a new impetus to
their economic ties, especially information technology, bio-technology
and entertainment industry fields. Mr Vajpayee said India and Germany shared
a common perspective on terrorism. We appreciate Germany's understanding
of the problems faced by US from cross-border terrorism.
The German Chancellor said he deeply
appreciated and admired the Prime Minister's renewed efforts for peace
with Pakistan to resolve outstanding issues like Jammu and Kashmir. The
Prime Minister's efforts are laudable and everybody should support this
new initiative , he added.
Referring to the bilateral ties,
Chancellor Schroeder said the two countries had agreed that a new dynamism
should be injected to the economic ties.
He said India would be one of the
countries for focus during the Asia Pacific weeks to be organised in Germany
in September.
