US will not impose solution on Kashmir: Bush

President George W Bush on Friday reiterated long-standing US policy on Kashmir, by saying that the US would get involved in trying to help resolve this imbroglio between India and Pakistan only if both countries asked it to do so and not otherwise and emphasised that Washington cannot and will not impose a solution. 

Appearing at a joint press conference with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in the East Room of the White House after their nearly two-hour meeting, Bush said, "The Kashmir issue will be solved when two leaders decide to solve it, and we want to help." 

"The United States can't force nations to reach an agreement, just because we want there to be an agreement. Lasting agreements occur when leaders of nations say, 'Let's get the past behind us and let's move forward.'," he added.

Bush said he was "encouraged by the meetings that the president (Musharraf) and Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh have had," in Havana on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Summit meeting. "It is an indication that there is desire at the leadership level to solve this long-standing problem." 

He said he was "impressed by this President's (Musharraf's) will to get something done in Kashmir. He and I have talked about this issue in the past. He has said he was going to reach out to the prime minister of India and he has, and our hope is that the process continues forward." 

Bush noted, "I asked the president, just like I would ask the prime minister of India, 'What can we do to help? What would you like the United States to do to facilitate an agreement? Would you like us to get out of the way? Would you like us not to show up? Would you like us to be actively involved? How can we help you if you so desire to achieve peace." 

"And, that's the role of the United States as far as I am concerned," he added. 

Earlier, in his remarks in opening the press conference, Bush said in his discussions with Musharraf, "We talked about India -- the president's relations with India. I was pleased to see that in Havana, Prime Minister Singh and President Musharraf had another discussion." 

"I think it's very important that the issue of Kashmir move forward and be resolved peacefully, and I appreciate your efforts, Mr President," Bush said.