The Hindu : 'I can pick up the phone and talk to Vajpayee'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 13, 2003

International

International - India & World

'I can pick up the phone and talk to Vajpayee'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD AUG. 12. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, said here today that there was no question of his Government sponsoring terrorist activity across the border with India. Addressing Indian journalists after meeting a delegation of MPs and others from India, Gen. Musharraf said there were lakhs of Indian troops (in Kashmir), people had been arrested and prevented from travelling freely around the world. These were elements of reciprocity and confidence-building.

"So if that is the possibility from one side, then the ability of facilitation on the other side of a ceasefire is certainly possible and practical."

"Now what is happening in Kashmir is that a freedom struggle is going on. One can attempt to facilitate and encourage ceasefire inside Kashmir, but for this there is reciprocity involved. If it has to be a unilateral issue, then it may not be feasible or practical."

Gen. Musharraf said that a unilateral ceasefire had two connotations. "Ceasefire on the LoC where we are firing at each other daily. Daily there are casualties on both sides. There ought to be a ceasefire on the LoC." It was a possibility in its totality. "It was an immediate possibility because the two militaries were firing. We stop from this side and they can stop from their side. This can take place tomorrow morning by giving orders today."

He maintained that "the other ceasefire is the ceasefire in what we call held- Kashmir and what you (India) call differently.... The totality is there only if there is a bilateral reciprocal formula. It has to be worked out and then it becomes a possibility."

Gen. Musharraf said: "Reciprocity should be in the form of stopping of atrocities, reduction of forces, allowing political activities and travel freely.... These are elements of reciprocity and confidence-building."

On the possibility of his meeting the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, Gen. Musharraf said: "I have no ego problem. I can pick up the telephone to him. Prime Minister Jamali did ring up Vajpayee. Yes, if it serves the purpose, I can think of it." He, however, said that there would be no feeling of humiliation if he called up and there was no response from the Indian leader.

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