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Pak missing 'window of opportunity': Bhutto

Describing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's peace initiative in Kashmir as a "courageous" step, former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto called it a "window of opportunity" being missed by the military government in Islamabad.

"After Rajiv Gandhi, Vajpayee is the first leader with farsightedness," Bhutto said in an interview to the television news channel Aaj Tak.

She said Vajpayee's decision to allow Hurriyat leaders to go out of the country for treatment was right.

"He declared a ceasefire, told them that he was ready for unilateral talks. I think he has taken courageous steps. This is a window of opportunity for Pakistan which we are missing," she remarked.

Asked what she would have done if she had been at the helm, the 48-year-old politician said, "I think if a positive step is taken, a second positive step should follow."

She ruled out any delinking of Indo-Pak relations from the vexed Kashmir issue. "You want that I call for a delink. Then your people will be happy and my people angry," she said.

Stating that there were reservations over the operations of the extremist Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Bhutto said the two sides could sit and talk about how to "manage this".

She said, "We understand that violence should end and our countries should live in peace. I am prepared to play my role."

Ruling out any agreement on the Line of Control in Kashmir, Bhutto said this was not possible because of opposite views.

"We should acknowledge that there are differing viewpoints. But we should build consensus for a peaceful, politically negotiated settlement," she said.

Stressing that differences should be resolved politically, she said, "We should build confidence for a safe and open border. Then the new generation will distance itself from bloodshed and hatred."

When reminded about Vajpayee's Lahore peace initiative and the subsequent Pakistani invasion of Kargil, Bhutto said, "It was wrong. But he was dealing with an undemocratic leadership."

Asked whether the United States dictates politics in Pakistan, she said: "Obviously. America is a superpower. It has too much clout. We want their diplomatic support because if we go to the UN, we have support."

Bhutto said the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence and the army establishment in Pakistan had emerged as the "invisible regime" which had caused much damage to the country.

PTI

The Government's Ceasefire: The complete coverage

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