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Premature to expect breakthrough: Musharraf

K J M Varma in Islamabad

Barely two days ahead of his India visit Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday night said it was 'premature' to expect a solution to the Kashmir issue in his first meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He was being interviewed by the state-run Pakistan Television.

At the same time he said that the two countries would have to make progress on the issue without which the confidence building measures announced by New Delhi would not help improve bilateral relations.

"Expecting a solution to the Kashmir issue would be premature. But as the process of dialogue proceeds, the talks could progress on the solution to Kashmir," Musharraf said.

Alleging that India has been endeavouring to sideline the Kashmir issue he said, "I will talk to Vajpayee with frankness and sincerity, and will highlight the centrality of the Kashmir issue."

Stating that the entire world's attention was focussed on his meeting with Vajpayee, he said, "I only hope that we achieve progress in the dialogue towards the resolution of the core dispute of Kashmir."

He welcomed Vajpayee's remarks at the all-Party meeting on July 9 that India would discuss the Kashmir issue in its entirety, but said he was keen to involve the 'Kashmir leadership' in the talks.

"As the talks will move ahead, the representation of Hurriyat leaders is a must. I am very clear on this," he added.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh on Wednesday night also said that both the countries should approach the talks with 'realism' and move forward 'step by step' instead of seeking dramatic breakthrough.

But he firmly ruled out tripartite talks involving Hurriyat Conference to resolve the Kashmir issue.

He termed as 'sad and regrettable' Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's decision to meet Hurriyat leaders at the reception to be hosted by Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi on July 14.

PTI

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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