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We should not insert ourselves as manager or mediator: Mulford

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON NOV. 22. The United States needs to do everything it can to press India and Pakistan to make progress on Kashmir but one thing it should not do is to "insert" itself into the process as a manager, mediator or referee, says the new U.S. Ambassador-designate, David Mulford.

In his appearance at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his nomination hearings, Mr. Mulford was asked by the Chair, Richard Lugar, if Washington should play a "more active role" in trying to help India and Pakistan resolve the dispute over Kashmir.

"...it's a problem of very long standing. It's deep. It's complex. And it is something which is very much between the two countries themselves," Mr. Mulford responded saying that the U.S. welcomed the "hand of friendship" of the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, that the progress "that appears very minimally but nevertheless to some considerable extent taking place;" and that it was the hope that this initiative will continue to move forward.

"I think we should do everything we can on both sides to press the countries to continue to make progress. I do not think we should insert ourselves into the process as the manager or mediator or referee of this problem resolution," Mr. Mulford said adding that the process would have to be watched very closely.

"...we have to encourage both countries strongly to continue their efforts; and to make it clear that returning to some of their past problems we've seen there is simply not acceptable for the world," Mr. Mulford maintained.

Mr. Mulford was on Capitol Hill at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee along with the American Ambassador-designate to Saudi Arabia, James Oberwetter. Mr. Mulford faces no hurdle at the Senate which is expected to clear his name very shortly, even by the weekend.

In his prepared remarks to the Panel — which expectedly had no surprises — Mr. Mulford stressed that some of the key issues dominating the bilateral agenda would include terrorism, economic relationship and the need to make "real progress" in strengthening military-to-military ties that would include American defence sales to India. "I want to assure the Committee that if confirmed the Global War on Terror will be a top priority for me. I also want to emphasise that the U.S. strongly supports India in its battle against terrorism, just as India has supported us," Mr. Mulford said. On the economic side of the relationship, Mr. Mulford argued that a vibrant and growing Indian economy should be a magnet for increased American exports and investment.

"This can happen if the pace of economic reform in India gathers steam. It will happen if India accelerates its willingness to open its markets to greater foreign trade and investment," Mr. Mulford said.

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