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CE tells Mubarak

Pakistan to welcome

any move for

talks on Kashmir

CAIRO: Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said that Pakistan would welcome any initiative from anyone that would facilitate progress to address the Kashmir dispute.

"Pakistan welcomes any initiative by anyone on Kashmir," he told journalists after an hour-long one-on-one talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

However, General Musharraf said, "India is extremely allergic" to the world mediation. 'But there are other words being coined, like "facilitation" and "bilateral dialogues". I don't mind any word they can use whether it is "facilitation", "mediation" or "bilateral dialogue" as long as the end-product is the initiation of dialogue on Kashmir,' he added.

He apprised Mubarak of the tension between India and Pakistan existing on the Line of Control in Kashmir. Musharraf briefed the Egyptian President about his offer to hold talks with India on Kashmir unconditionally.

"I am prepared to go anywhere in the world, at any time and meet at any level to initiate the dialogue on Kashmir," he told Mubarak.

The talks covered a wide range of issues including tension between India and Pakistan on the Line of Control in Kashmir, Afghanistan, the Middle East situation, and the economic cooperation and the issue of terrorism.

"On Afghanistan, we discussed the requirement of a cease-fire, requirement of a solution that satisfies the reality on ground in Afghanistan and introduces a multi-ethnic government."

The two leaders also discussed the issue of terrorism and whether there are any sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

He said he would like to discuss this issue with the Afghan government.

In response to a question about Osama bin Laden, he said, "This is a controversial and sensitive issue."

Musharraf underlined that Pakistan would cooperate fully with Egypt in apprehending and bringing to book the elements that are found involved in terrorist activities against Egypt, or working against the Egyptian interests. "We would not allow our country to be utilised in any way to the detriment of Egypt on this count," he told a journalist.

"We would not allow Pakistan to be used by any terrorist, any organisation, any individual to project terrorism anywhere in the world."

The Chief Executive said in reply to a question that he does not have any intention to contest national elections when these are held. " No, I am not a politician and I am not cut for it at all. I certainly will not," he said.

He said he has not issued any date as yet for the elections at provincial and national levels, because his government wants to rectify certain areas before making the announcement.

He told newsmen that elections at district level and below will begin in December this year and come to completion in July 2001.

The Chief Executive said, his government's devolution of power plan ensures 30 percent seats for women, so that they could get representation in all spheres including politics and administration of Pakistan.

General Musharraf said Pakistan and Egypt have a role to play to project moderate and progressive nature of Islam. "Both the countries have a role to focus on the progressive nature of Islam Ñ and we agreed on that."

He said the two sides discussed the cooperation in agricultural, industrial, textile and fertilizer sectors and in the field of defence production.

The Chief Executive said the Egyptian leaders expressed a total understanding of the developments in Pakistan.

"I am grateful to Egyptian President and Prime Minister for showing a total understanding of developments in Pakistan and acceptance of reality on the ground in Pakistan Ñ It proves acceptance of realities in Pakistan by the Egyptian government."

General Musharraf said, his government is looking for revival of economy through promotion of trade relations with friendly countries. "The fact that Egypt and Pakistan have decided to collaborate will further enhance the mutual economic cooperation."ÑAPP