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'Clinton's visit to Pakistan imperative'

ISLAMABAD: An eminent American writer on South Asia, Dr. Robert G. Wirsing, on Thursday said, a visit to Pakistan by President Bill Clinton next month is "absolutely imperative" if Washington wants to keep intact its ability to mediate between New Delhi and Islamabad.

"At this moment, it is important that the US President adopts an even-handed, impartial and balanced approach in its relations with India and Pakistan," Wirsing told APP on his arrival in the capital for a seminar on Kashmir.

Wirsing, a professor at the University of South Carolina, said, he is "still hopeful of a decent length stay by the US President during his trip to the region."

"Because if that does not take place, the American ability to mediate between India and Pakistan will be weakened," the American writer, who has been visiting the region since 1965, said: The Author of two books on Kashmir, said, a visit to Pakistan by the American President "can make a difference" vis-a-vis making a start for the "goodwill relations between India and Pakistan."

"This should be a goodwill visit by President Clinton because some steps are needed to facilitate a resumption of a meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan."

Wirsing, whose next book "Kashmir in the Nuclear Shadow," is at draft stage, also strongly advocated the appointment of a "full-fledged US envoy in India and Pakistan," as pleaded by the American lawmakers in October last year.

"That full-fledged special envoy should report directly to the President Ñ the envoy should have a broader mandate and specifically embrace Kashmir. APP