Author:
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 31, 2001
Weeks ahead of the Indo-Pak summit,
Pakistan's military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf has sought Russia's mediation
in dialogue with India on Kashmir.
At the same time, he expressed displeasure
over Moscow's "one-sided backing" of India.
In an interview to leading Russian
daily Izvestia, published on Thursday, Musharraf said that Islamabad, which
has traditionally sought US mediation on the Kashmir issue, would welcome
Moscow's mediation in dialogue with India.
Regretting Moscow's refusal to sell
modern weapons to Islamabad, Musharraf said "we are very much interested
in Sukhoi-30 fighter planes. We have money and would like to buy them."
"Unfortunately, we do not know what
is required for a change in Russia's stand of one-sided backing of India
and develop relations with the people of Pakistan also," he said.
He added that Islamabad was keen
to improve its relations with Moscow and develop close trade and defence
ties.
Asked if Pakistan would carry out
further nuclear tests and enhance its nuclear capabilities, Musharraf said
that Islamabad would continue its nuclear programme to keep pace with India.
"In the first place it depends on
India's stand... India's published doctrine shows that it has no desire
to curb its nuclear ambitions. Therefore, we also have to take care of
our own security," he said, adding "but I would also be happy if the number
of nuclear warheads in South Asia is substantially reduced."
To another question, he said, he
had no proof of terrorist mastermind Osama Bin Laden's involvement in all
the acts attributed to him. (PTI)
