Author:
Publication: Daily Excelsior
Date: June 4, 2003
URL: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/03june04/news.htm#3
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
tonight said if talks were to resume with Pakistan on Kashmir issue, it
has to be on the one-third portion of Kashmir which was under Pakistani
occupation.
"We have had talks on Kashmir earliers
also. If we were to start with Kashmir, then we have to start with that
part of the Kashmir which is under Pakistani occupation," Vajpayee told
reporters on his return here from a week-long tour of Germany, France and
Russia.
Vajpayee's remarks came in response
to a question whether taking up the Kashmir issue would place a hurdle
in the talks with Pakistan as was witnessed at the Agra summit.
On the peace process initiated by
him with Pakistan, the Prime Minister said "this is the beginning. The
talks can start only after cross-border terrorism ends."
He said all the five permanent members
of the UN Security Council also agreed that cross-border terrorism should
stop and conducive atmosphere should be there for resumption of talks.
Asked whether US President George
W Bush would pressurise Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to end cross-border
terrorism, the Prime Minister said it was not a question of exerting pressure.
"Bush's saying he would take up
the matter with Musharraf (in Washington this month) is itself a pressure,"
Vajpayee said.
The Prime Minister termed as "very
good" his talks with world leaders during his talks in Germany, St. Petersburg
and Evian (France).
Vajpayee was received at the airport
by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, his cabinet colleagues, three Defence
chiefs and senior officials. (PTI)
