Author: PTI
Publication: The Deccan Herald
Date: June 1, 2002
Contrary to Pakistan President Pervez
Musharraf's claim, the US has said it has evidence, of continued cross-border
infiltration into Kashmir but expressed hope that the latest assurance
from the General would fructify.
"We were receiving assurances from
President Musharraf that infiltration activity across the Line of Control
would be ended. But unfortunately we can still see evidence that it was
continuing". Secretary of State Colin Powell said on the public broadcasting
network last night.
Expressing concern over the continued
infiltration, Powell said "there is an urgency" to stop it, adding Musharraf
'has now given assurance again and these assurances are more positive".
"We hope he is now giving the necessary
orders and all necessary actions to stop infiltration".
Describing Kashmir as "a very sensitive
issue between India and Pakistan", Powell said at present there was "nothing
active" before the two countries to resolve the issue.
"There are political consequences
there are religious issues involved in it. It has been an intractable problem
for 50 years", he said ruling out US mediation on the issue.
"It has to do with the various populations
that coexist within Kashmir. And they have never been able to find a political
way to solve this difficult problem that really has been there since the
formation of these two countries", Powell added.
Meanwhile, the US State department
today authorised the voluntary departure of all non-essential diplomats
and their dependents from India, saying it could not rule out a worsening
of the crisis with Pakistan.
In Ottawan, the Group of 8 foreign
ministers, called on Pakistan to clamp down on incursions in the Kashmir
region.
In a statement released by the Canadian
Department of Foreign Affairs, the G-8 ministers also called on both Pakistan
and India to work with the international community to find "a diplomatic
solution to the current crisis".
"We call on Pakistan, in accordance
with its commitment, to take concrete actions immediately to end infiltrations
across the Line of Control, and to stop terrorist groups operating from
territory under its control," said the statement.
