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South Africa takes back remarks on Kashmir

The trouble between India and South Africa after the Non-Aligned Movement Chairperson Nelson Mandela referred to the Kashmir issue blew over today when that country's Vice-President, Thabo Mbeki, apologised to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the episode.

Mbeki walked up to Vajpayee just before he was to deliver his address at the NAM summit and told him in categorical terms that the reference to Kashmir by Dr Mandela should not be construed as his country being interested in interfering in the internal affairs of India.

The vice-president, who is to take over as the country's president from Dr Mandela next year, also assured Vajpayee that the NAM chairperson would make amends while making his concluding speech.

India appeared to be satisfied with the assurance and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Brajesh Mishra said, ''With this development the chapter is now closed.''

Dr Mandela had raised a storm when, during his inaugural address at the NAM summit on Wednesday, he called for the resolution of the Kashmir issue through peaceful negotiations and that the movement should lend all its strength for its resolution.

Vajpayee met Mandela a few hours after this development at a state banquet and lodged a strong protest, making it clear that the remarks were ''uncalled for'' and therefore unacceptable to India. Vajpayee also told Mandela that there was no place for third party intervention, howsoever well intentioned.

''The state of Jammu and Kashmir is and will remain an integral part of India,'' he asserted, adding, ''The real problem there is one of cross-border terrorism.

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