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SA has no desire to have Kashmir on NAM agenda, clarifies Mbeki

South African Vice-President Thabo Mbeki has said his government had not proposed any resolution by the Non-Aligned Movement on the Kashmir issue, but hoped that India and Pakistan will ''deal with the matter and resolve it.''

In an interview with the television network SABC in Pretoria, Mbeki said NAM chairman Nelson Mandela's intention was not to make Kashmir an issue at the Non-Aligned forum.

''The president was not saying that the matter must come on to the NAM agenda.''

Mandela's reference to Kashmir in his inaugural speech at the 12th NAM summit evoked sharp reaction from the Indian government, which stated that Kashmir was an integral part of India and there was no room for third party mediation.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee lodged a protest with Mandela for his reference to Kashmir in his speech when he met him at a reception for visiting leaders later.

The South African deputy president said Dr Mandela was concerned about the situation in Kashmir, but he was not saying the matter must appear on the NAM agenda.

UNI

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