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Rejection of talks offer unfortunate: Pak.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD March. 3. Pakistan today termed as "unfortunate" India's rejection of offer of talks made by its President, Pervez Musharraf, in the course of an interview to an Indian private news television network.

"Pakistan's best intentions and desires to resolve all disputes through peaceful means have been consistently and unreasonably spurned by India," the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Aziz Ahmed Khan, said in response to a question at his weekly media briefing.

About the offer of talks by Gen. Musharraf on all issues including terrorism, he said, "Terrorism is a vast subject and the offer of talks on this issue is part of the offer for talks on all issues."

However, he did not to respond to a question on whether Pakistan agreed with the Indian definition of `terrorism' and if not, what kind of cooperation Gen. Musharraf had in mind. Pakistan, he claimed, was not shy of talking about different issues as it helped to change perceptions. The only credible and civilised way of conducting inter-state relations was through talks.

Asked about the `hike' in India's defence budget, Mr. Khan said it reflected "its designs to create hegemony" and would add to the tension in the region.

"India's relentless pursuit of arms and ambitions to have hegemony over the region through the force of arms is not unknown," Mr. Khan said. To a question on the supposed 17 per cent raise in the Indian defence outlay for 2003-04, he charged that India continued to take actions which exacerbated the situation, increased tension and created difficulties in the region.

Pakistan, he claimed, did not believe in the arms race and had always desired peaceful resolution of all disputes in the region. Pakistan's defence developments were purely defensive in nature and its policy remained that it should be able to defend itself against any aggression.

Asked about a report by Jane's Defence weekly regarding Iran's offer of its air bases to India, he said, "We have already termed these reports baseless." When told that Jane's enjoyed credibility, he quipped, "sometimes credible people also talk about incredible things."

On the expected dates of the Prime Minister's visit to China and the U.S., he said the dates were being worked out.

Asked about the hunt for the body of the Afghan Minister who died in an air crash last week, Mr. Khan said, "Unfortunately, the body has not yet been found. Two helicopters and as many ships are still looking for it."

On the huge peace demonstration in Karachi and whether it could change Pakistan's policy, he said, "Pakistan's policy is to resolve the issue through peaceful means."

Pakistan favoured full implementation of the U.N. resolutions on Iraq.

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