Munich, May 29: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today appeared to make light of his remark on retirement if his latest Pakistan initiative failed even as officials said that it had been blown out of proportion. Amid a flutter caused by the remark, the Prime Minister was asked in Hindi as to in what context he had used the word 'retire' in his interview to a German publication--whether in the Indo-Pak context or for himself.

"Apneliye kaha tha (I said for myself)," he told reporters accompanying him on arrival here on the second leg of his two-day German trip.

In the interview to 'Der Spiegel', when he was asked as to what happens if his stated last peace initiative failed, Vajpayee had stated "then I have to accept defeat then I retire."

However, officials accompanying the Prime Minister said his remarks have been blown out of proportion and that they had to be read in perspective. They said what he was making clear was that if his peace initiative failed then perhaps he may have to give up the efforts.

Bureau Report