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Onus of creating atmosphere for talks
rests with Pakistan: PM

"I urge the leadership of Pakistan to demonstrate its sincerity and commitment to the dialogue process by condemning terrorist violence by Pakistan-based militant groups and effectively checking their anti-India activities."

"The onus of creating a positive atmosphere for bilateral talks rests clearly with Pakistan," he said in a statement in Udupi. He noted that the recent spurt in violence in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in India unleashed by Pak-based militant organisations 'has vitiated the atmosphere for resumption of talks between the two countries'.

The prime minister's tough-talking comes close on the heels of stepped up violence by groups like Lashkar-e-Tayiba and three days after the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan calling on military ruler Pervez Musharraf to formally propose resumption of bilateral composite dialogue.

Vajpayee said India's readiness to have talks with Pakistan at any level, including at the highest level, has been well established.

"We have also strongly demonstrated our sincerity to create a conducive atmosphere for talks through specific confidence-building measures such as unilateral cessation of combat operations in J&K," he said.

However, the prime minister said continuation of terrorist activities in and outside the state showed that the purpose of India taking these unilateral initiatives was not being fulfilled.

Referring to the terrorist attacks on security forces and civilians which have increased both in number and gravity, he said, "What is particularly surprising and distressing is the fact that the leadership of Pakistan continues to do nothing to restrain these terrorist organisations, which operate from Pakistan soil, even as it professes its eagerness to resume talks with India."

Vajpayee said Pakistan's argument that violence would stop once talks begin 'is strange, to say the least. It convinces neither India nor the international community.'

"There cannot be meaningful talks for resolving outstanding issues and normalising bilateral relations when the guns of terrorist outfits continue to do their own talking," Vajpayee said.

Talking of the stepped up violence, he referred to the recent attacks at the Red Fort, Srinagar airport and the threats to the Prime Minister's Office and said the militants who were opposed to the peace process 'are alarmed at the prospects of fruitful dialogue between India and Pakistan'.

Union Home Minister L K Advani told reporters that there is no change in the stance of the government regarding the ceasefire. ''I will not say anything on the passport and cease-fire (in Kashmir), the government has already made its position clear,'' he added.

Advani, talking to reporters in New Delhi, reiterated that the Central would not succumb to pressure from the Hurriyat Conference on issuing passports to all the five members of its delegation to visit Pakistan.

''Let them not go to Pakistan if it is their pre-condition that all of them should be issued passports. The government is clear about its stand,'' he said in a reaffirmation of his view made known in an RSS journal.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh on Thursday said in Berlin that the peace process in J&K was 'on course' but expressed disappointment over Pakistan's inability to show 'expected restraint' in curtailing the activities of Pak-based terrorists against India.

"The Kashmir peace process is on course and I am optimistic about its future," Singh said when asked by newsmen how India looked at the future of peace overtures initiated by New Delhi.

Singh, however, said it was a matter of disappointment that the restraint expected by India from Pakistan in stopping the Pak-based terrorists from their anti-India activities was yet to be seen on the ground.

SIngh, who is on the second day of his three-day visit to Germany, made these comments after the inauguration of the new $10 million Chancery building of the Indian Embassy in Berlin.

Agencies

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Government initiated ceasefire in J&K

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