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Annan offers to mediate between
India, Pakistan

K J M Varma in Islamabad

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Thursday asked Pakistan to press on with determined action against terrorist outfits and offered his "good offices" in resolving the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan.

"What is needed are two things -- sustained and determined action against extremist armed groups of the kind announced by President Pervez Musharraf and equally sustained and determined dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve differences by peaceful means. There is enormous support from the international community for this twin track," he said.

Addressing a joint press conference with Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar, Annan said: "My own good offices remain available, if both the parties wish to avail them."

He called for military de-escalation along the Indo-Pak border and said the two countries should look for ways to resolve their differences peacefully. "I would like to stress the need to resolve Pakistan's differences with India, including over Kashmir, through peaceful means."

"Pakistan and India have much in common, and much to lose through tension and confrontation and much to gain through cooperation. The immediate need is military de-escalation," he said.

Annan said the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions, including those on Kashmir, was not possible without the consent of both the parties.

"You need parties to cooperate. There were many other instances where Security Council resolutions were accepted, but at the end of the day the parties have to talk and resolve their differences," he said.

Annan said Musharraf deserved high praise for the courageous speech he delivered on January 12

The secretary general shot down suggestion from a newsman that the present team of UN observers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir be converted into a peacekeeping force.

"For UN observers to be transformed into peacekeeping force, you need another resolution in the Security Council. I do not see that happening now."

PTI

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