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Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006
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Siachen: Pakistan not for authenticating troop positions

New Delhi: Indicating its hesitation to authenticate troop positions at Siachen, Pakistan has asked India not to make it "do things which compromise our own position" and said that a way can be found around this pre-condition to demilitarise the region.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said progress has been made on Jammu and Kashmir as also Siachen and Sir Creek and something achievable is within grasp.

"It [settlement of Siachen issue] can be done, provided you don't make us do things which compromise our own position. If the only purpose is to let people know where the two Armies are, I think we can find a way around it," he said in an interview to Karan Thapar for CNN-IBN.

"It's for the Indian leadership to take that decision," Mr. Kasuri said, adding: "I see no reason why it cannot be done."

India and Pakistan had agreed last year to demilitarise the world's highest battlefield. However, New Delhi has maintained that there should be proper authentication of the positions presently held by the two countries along the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) before redeployment can take place.

"Progress made"

Mr. Kasuri insisted that "enough progress has been made" on Siachen and Sir Creek and maintained that given the political will, both issues can be resolved.

Mr. Kasuri said this process will "definitely go forward" when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Pakistan. "We hope that more than something will be announced [when the Prime Minister visits Pakistan]," he said.

PTI

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