ISLAMABAD: Describing the Kashmir issue as "ripe for resolution," President Pervez Musharraf has pointed to the recent Baglihar dam verdict as an example of the progress the two countries are making in resolving their outstanding differences.

Addressing a conference here on Wednesday, Gen. Musharraf said while confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan had made their own contribution to the peace process, it was time to move towards resolution of conflicts.

On this count too, there was room for optimism, he said, adding: "All of you would have read about Baglihar."

Scholars and security studies specialists from all parts of the world participated in the two-day conference entitled "Voices From Asia: Towards a Process for Co-operation and Security," at the Institute of Strategic Studies, a think-tank of the Foreign Ministry.

Ties with India

Speaking at the inaugural session, Gen. Musharraf was upbeat about relations with India, and said he was hopeful of progress in the resolution of the Sir Creek and Siachen glacier issues, as well as the core issue of Kashmir.

"While confidence building measures are going on well, never before have relations [between India and Pakistan] been so good for conflict resolution.

``We are moving forward towards conflict resolution. Kashmir is ripe for resolution," he said.

Disputes between Pakistan and India could not be overlooked as there had been three wars and killings at the Line of Control and on the Siachen glacier.

"We are for peace. Peoples on both sides care for a peace momentum and the peace process," the Pakistan President said, also urging the West and China to play "a proactive role" in finding a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue for a "durable peace" in the region.

India would be encouraged by his reference to Baglihar as a positive example of conflict resolution between the two countries. Pakistan projected the verdict of the neutral expert on the dam as a victory, implying that it accepts the ruling. But officials also left open the possibility of challenging parts of the verdict that have gone in India's favour.

Peaceful reconciliation

Speaking about conflict resolution in general, Gen. Musharraf, who has now seriously thrown himself into bringing a group of "like-minded" Muslim nations together for a "middle-east initiative," said the parties involved should have the courage to step back to enable peaceful reconciliation.

"Courage is needed to reconcile and shake hands and forget and forgive rather than go in for confrontation. Both sides have to swallow their pride and step back," he said.

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