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Armitage denies U.S. pressured India, Pak.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD May 8. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, said here today that

considering the sensitivities between India and Pakistan, the two countries should concentrate on political and economic confidence-building measures.

Addressing a joint press conference with the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Khurshid Muhammad Kasuri here after a 90-minute meeting with the Pakistan President, Gen. Musharraf, he said ``there have to be serious CBMs on political and economic issues'' before the two countries which had ``general confrontational stands'' take up issues like arms control, he said.

Mr. Armitage was answering a question on what the U.S. is prepared to do on nuclear proliferation in the region.

``They cannot be expected to take far-reaching decisions on matters of arms control. We are wishing a cautiously optimistic stand. That is exactly what we have seen'', he said.

He denied the impression that the U.S. has pressured Pakistan and India into any peace process.

``It is not our stand to pressure Pakistan or India. If we can be helpful to begin dialogue it will be helpful''.

Without going into the details of his talks with Gen. Musharraf, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Mr. Kasuri, he said ``my discussions here today will be faithfully carried to our Indian friends and they study the comments and decide on their course of response. I want to dispel the notion that there is pressure from the U.S.''. Mr. Armitage also denied that he carried any proposals for resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Asked whether India has done enough to bring down the tensions, he said, ``it is not useful pointing fingers at India and Pakistan.

The United States faithfully discusses the issues with both sides''.

Replying to a question on the motives that prompted India to initiate a new peace process, he said he was not sure of the reasons.

``All I know is that Vajpayee has made a far-reaching statement in Srinagar. I have no doubt that he is a man of peace and he wants to have peace between India and Pakistan. Beyond that I cannot speculate on his motives. I think it is something our friends would discuss and find it for themselves'', he said.

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