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Indian gestures for dialogue with Hurriyat significant: US

Emerging from a two-hour long meeting with National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra in Delhi, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage told reporters, "The Indian government's gestures indicate its willingness to have a dialogue with the APHC."

"Ultimately, we have to leave the decisions that have to be arrived at to the parties concerned," said Armitage, who earlier held wide-ranging talks with Defence Minister George Fernandes and Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal.

The senior US official was in Delhi on a day-long visit.

He declined to comment on reports of exchange of fire between Pakistan and India but said Washington would continue to use its good offices to reduce tension between the two countries.

"I am aware that for the last month or so, there have been exchanges of artillery fire, but I have no further information on this matter and have no way to verify any of it," he told reporters when asked to comment on the skirmishes along the Line of Control.

Asked about the Indian perception that Washington was not doing enough to pressurise Pakistan to keep its pledge to permanently end cross-border terrorism, Armitage, who will be flying to Islamabad on Saturday to hold talks with President Gen Pervez Musharraf, said his country would continue to use its good offices to ease tension between India and Pakistan.

"My government is paying extraordinary attention and we are still at it," he said.

Armitage, who is on his third visit to India and second in as many months, said Washington was concerned over the possibility of violence during the forthcoming J&K polls and "this is something I will be discussing further on this mission (with Pakistan)."

Describing his talks with the Indian leadership as 'full and intensive', he said bilateral issues, including military, economic and technological cooperation, besides regional and international developments were discussed.

Mishra, who was present during the interaction with mediapersons, ruled out any dialogue with Pakistan as long as cross-border terrorism persisted.

On the promises made by Musharraf, not only to the US but also to the international community to stop cross-border terrorism, Mishra said, "What the US is doing about them, only the US can tell. What we can tell you is that he (Musharraf) has not implemented the promises."

Mishra denied that the frequent visits by foreign dignitaries to discuss the Indo-Pak issue had become a mere formality.

On whether India wanted Armitage to convey its concerns to Musharraf, Mishra said, "We have not told Armitage what he should convey to Musharraf. He will say whatever he has to say."

PTI

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