Clinton expresses concern over Indo-Pak differences

Bill Clinton has voiced concern at India and Pakistan's failure to resolve their differences. The US president also stressed the need for a strong American presence in South Asia.

''I think the US presence should be heavily felt in South Asia because of the long relationship we have had with India and because it has been a democracy all the time,'' he told a media conference on Wednesday.

Another reason he held out for the US presence in the region was ''the enormous potential of South Asia for good if things go well and for ill if things don't''.

Clinton said it was not a ''very hot issue'' in the United States, but it was a ''source of continuing concern'' to him that ''the people of Pakistan and the people of India have not been able to work through their differences''.

If India and Pakistan could normalise their relations, he said he was convinced that they could quickly begin to enjoy the highest growth rates in East Asian communities and ''be our best partners for the future''.

''So, I am hoping that not only can we observe India's anniversary (of independence), but that we can be an even better friend in the next 50 years and a more constructive supporter of resolving these difficulties in the near future,'' Clinton observed.

Though Clinton did not make reference to any specific point of discord between India and Pakistan, he had apparently in mind the 50-year-old Kashmir dispute.

When his attention was drawn to the Government of India's invitation urging him to be in New Delhi on August 15, he said, ''I hope to do something here in Washington to recognise the beginning of what will be an year-long celebration of Indian independence.

''And as you know, at some time, there will be some overlap when Pakistan will celebrate its 50th year of independence,'' he added.

The president's observations made it clear that he had no plans to visit India. Jimmy Carter was the last US president to visit India in January 1978.

UNI