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Guthrie urges

resumption of

talks on Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Gen. Charles Guthrie, Chief of Defence Staff United Kingdom, on Thursday expressed worry over situation in Kashmir and called for resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan as quickly as possible.

Gen. Guthrie was talking to a select group of senior journalists here at the British High Commission soon after his talks with Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf. British High Commissioner in Islamabad Sir David Dain was present on the occasion. Gen. Guthrie also met with Air Chief Marshal Pervez Qureshi and Naval Chief Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza.

"I am disappointed as many many people are, in the United Kingdom, Europe and in the Commonwealth," as the talks between the Pakistan and India have been stalled. "We would like that these talks get going quickly," he told a questioner.

He is here on a 2-day official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of General Pervez Musharraf.

Gen. Guthrie expressed his hope that Pakistan and India would "find ways to revive the Lahore process and addressing bilaterally the issue that divides them."

To another query, the British Gen. said, he was, "deeply worried over the situation in Kashmir which has been dangerous sometime," because the two nations were at loggerheads over the problem such as Kashmir.

The British Government, he said, was "ready to help, if the countries," concerned wished so.

The situation, "we think became more dangerous following the nuclear tests in 1998," by both India and Pakistan, he added.

He said, he himself was the veteran of cold war and he could testify the "value of the confidence and security building measures reducing tension and preventing conflict. I believe such instruments have the potential to play an important role in South Asia as they have done in Europe, he added.

"General Musharraf and I also discussed the issue of security and I made clear our deeply felt concerns on Kashmir and emphasized the urgency for Pakistan to join the international efforts to eradicate international terrorism in all its forms," said the british General.

Guthrie said if, "he has to sum up the purpose of his visit in a single sentecne, it would be to ask General Musharraf to take Pakistan down the path of democracy and peace. And we are ready to help if the progress is maintained," he said.

When asked, if he was satisfied with his visit, he said, "it was difficult to say this at this stage". However Guthrie added he was told by General Musharraf that he was committed to restore a full democracy.

"It was in every body's interest to happen as quickly as possible and that Pakistan was taken down to the path of democracy," said the British General.

To another question on the timeframe for restoration of democracy, the British General said, "it is extremely difficult thing to do." General Musharraf, he added, did talk about some goals he had in mind.

Replying another query, Guthrie said, he discussed with General Musharraf the recent hijacking incident of the Indian airliner.

He said they were of the view that "terrorism is a scourge in the world," and agreed on the need to bring, "perpetrators of terrorism to justice."

On the question of CTBT, he said, the issue was discussed during his meeting with General Musharraf. The dialogue on the issue, wether to sign CTBT or not, was going on in this country, he added.

When asked whether there was an arms embargo on Pakistan, he categorically said, there," is not an embargo on weapons being sold to Pakistan."

To another query that several requests by Pakistan in this regard were pending with the British Government, he said," It is taking longer to process it."

When asked whether the Chief Executive made a request for supplying some specific arms to Pakistan, he quipped," We did not talk about it."

Gen. Guthrie said, he has had "a frank meeting with the Chief Executive." It was like speaking one military to another."

"I explained to him in detail the British Government's position on recent events in Pakistan," said Gen. Guthrie.

He said British Government wanted restoration of a full democratic Government. This view is shared by its partners in the Commonwealth and the European Union as well.

"Turning our back on Pakistan is not an option," said the General.

He said General Musharraf had made commitment to introduce a strong democracy in Pakistan.

"We welcome it and wanted it to be fulfil. The Pakistani people deserve a good governance which can deliver a living of prosperity and security for all," he said.

Now everything is upto General Musharraf to," convince them he is taking steps in the right direction," and making arrangements for a transition to a democratic and the civilian rule.

Gen. Guthrie said, "This will reassure all the observers abroad that such thinking is there in Pakistan." But this should be complimented by actions to promote the civil society, reform the economy and protect the human rights.

When asked if General Musharraf talked about extradition of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, the British General said," I did not discuss with him."

Asked if he will leave for India after a 2-day visit to Pakistan, he said, "I am going back to London."

To a question on the reaction of Britain on the events of October 12 in Pakistan, British General said," our reaction was quite natural."

Pakistan and Britain, he said were members of the same family, he said while referring to Commonwealth.

Pakistan, he said, was still member of the Commonwealth. During its recent meeting, the Commonwealth noted that Pakistan was, "making progress in the right direction," he added.ÑAPP