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'Advani trying to sabotage peace process'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD Aug. 28. The Pakistan Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, has accused the Deputy Prime Minister, Lal Krishna Advani, of attempting to sabotage the peace process between India and Pakistan by hurling "baseless" charges against Pakistan about its involvement in acts of terrorism in India.

In an informal talk with correspondents here on the sidelines of a seminar, the Minister alleged that New Delhi was running away from dialogue, as it did not want to talk about the issue of Kashmir.

"However, Pakistan would not allow it to happen and pursue the course of peace through negotiations."

The Information Minister maintained that India was not serious about dialogue and alleged that it is damaging the atmosphere by giving conflicting statements. "I think India is not seriously interested in dialogue that's why they are avoiding it. What is the purpose of unofficial delegations coming here? Why official-level talks have not started?"

"We were expecting start of dialogue but unfortunately the recent Mumbai incident and statements of Indian leadership are going to damage the atmosphere. Recent statement of the Indian Deputy Prime Minister in which he rejected Pakistan's condemnation about the incident, shows that they are not serious in dialogue."

Mr. Rashid asserted that Pakistan was not involved in any incident of terrorism. On the demand for handing over 19 suspects, he said, "If India thinks that 19 people are in Pakistan they must give us their names and their locations."

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