The Hindu : End infiltration to begin talks, PM tells Pak.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 24, 2003

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End infiltration to begin talks, PM tells Pak.

By Javed M. Ansari

NEW DELHI APRIL 23. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today told the Lok Sabha that "stopping cross-border infiltration and destruction of terrorist infrastructure can open the doors for talks'' with Pakistan. His remarks came in the form of a statement in the House on his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr. Vajpayee said he had extended a hand of friendship, in the hope that a new beginning could take place between India and Pakistan. "This hand of friendship should be extended from both sides. Both the countries should resolve that we need to live together in peace.''

The Prime Minister told the Lok Sabha that during his visit to the State, he had assured the people that the Government was keen on resolving all the issues, both internal and external, through talks. "The gun can solve no problem. Issues can be resolved if we are guided by the three principles of Insaaniyat (humanism), Jamhooriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat (Hindu-Muslim amity)."

In the course of his statement, the Prime Minister recalled that he had told the people that the doors "of our hearts will always be open to you''. He had urged them to knock on the doors of Delhi. "We have come here to share your pain and agony; whatever complaints you have, address them collectively." He also congratulated the people of the State for participating in the polls fearlessly, and for exercising their franchise defying bullets.

Mr. Vajpayee said the greatest problem before the youth of the State was unemployment and he informed the House that his Government had decided to help facilitate the creation of one lakh job opportunities in the next two years.

He said a Special Task Force would be set up with representatives from the Central and State Governments, industry, commerce, banking and financial institutions. The task force would submit its report by June 30 and the implementation would start on August 15 this year.

Airport to be modernised

Mr. Vajpayee also informed the House that during the two-day visit, he laid the foundation for the modernisation of the Srinagar airport that would double its capacity so that international air services could start from there. He also told that House that in deference to the wishes of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister he had inaugurated the National Highway Development Project from Srinagar.

His last programme related to the commencement of work on the construction of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line. ``It is our resolve to ensure that train services start in the Kashmir Valley before August 15, 2007,'' he said.

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