- News>
- Asia
SAARC: Jamali expects structured summit with Vajpayee
Islamabad, Jan 03: After a spate of confidence building measures initiated by India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali said that he expects a `structured` summit to take place with his Indian counterpart Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the three-day SAARC summit beginning tomorrow.
Islamabad, Jan 03: After a spate of confidence building measures initiated by
India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali said that he expects a "structured" summit to take place with his Indian counterpart Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the three-day SAARC summit beginning tomorrow.
"There is a possibility that I will have a separate
meeting with my Indian counterpart Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as
the two countries have moved from a dead-end to a silver
lining," Jamali said adding that he expects a "structured
Indo-Pak summit" during Vajapyee`s stay in Islamabad.
"We have achieved some breakthroughs in different areas, and I am hopeful that a breakthrough on ticklish issues will also be achieved this time, if all goes according to my assessment," he said in an interview to daily `The News` ahead of Vajpayee`s arrival here today to take part in the summit.
On the possibility of his one-on-one meeting with Vajpayee, he said "people are talking about one-on-one meeting or otherwise but the meetings will take place ... We will be together in the conference and at the retreat arranged here at the prime minister`s house and then informal meetings where every one will be free to talk on issues," Jamali said.
"Ice has been broken with recent spate of confidence-building measures initiated and taken by Pakistan and India," he said. Jamali said Vajpayee`s consent to attend the SAARC summit is in itself a "very positive development" and we have been able to come out of the deadlock.
The Pakistani premier said resolution of Kashmir issue was possible as he felt comfortable discussing the issue with the Indian Prime Minister.
"Prime Minister Vajpayee is a liberal and amiable man. I feel comfortable holding a dialogue with Prime Minister Vajpayee," he said.
Even though they have never met, but he did talk to him on telephone a couple of times, he said adding that Vajpayee was "considerate and receptive".
Hoping that a mutual dialogue would surely lead to an early and acceptable solution to all outstanding disputes and issues, including the Kashmir problem, he said, "A lot of time has already been wasted. I believe India and Pakistan have moved forward vis-a-vis bilateral relations recently. I will strive to take things ahead beyond this point."
Dubbing the Agra summit as a failure, he said that "since it did not work out, people naturally had their reservations. We wouldn`t want a repetition of a failure. In the 21st century, I think a breakthrough is imperative for both the countries".
On the progress made by the two through various CBMs, he said "India and Pakistan are able to make big breakthrough in various sectors...The hotlines have started functioning well, the bus service has already started and I am sure that bus travel between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad will take place as dialogue is on for it. Opening of Khokharapar and Munnobao road link and ultimately rail link are on the cards".
Jamali said there is a need to convince all concerned that war is not the solution and it is imperative to achieve breakthrough for which the first requirement is to hold composite dialogue.
"I hope that the countries concerned would come up with positive approach and this SAARC conference will bring about a good result."
He said measures taken by Pakistan reflected a positive approach and India has replied positively as well. So we are in a position to have a dialogue.
Terming the ceasefire announced by Pakistan in November last year as a "good omen”, he said "I think the ceasefire has proved a good omen and yielded results. The people are relieved, as all want peace, no-one wants war".
On the issue of terrorism and cross-border infiltration, Jamali said Pakistan has its own stand.
Claiming that Pakistan was a victim of terrorism and supported war on terrorism, he said, "We are not part of terrorism ... We are victim of terrorism and we cannot support terrorism. One cannot stop talking based on conjunctures, as Pakistan is supportive of anti-terrorism actions worldwide."
He said Indians have their own frame of mind and free to talk on such issues. "We, however, opposed terrorism in all its manifestations."
On Kashmir, he said, people have their own priorities. "Some say it is terrorism, others say that it`s a freedom movement," he said and referred to the additional protocol on terrorism. Bureau Report
"We have achieved some breakthroughs in different areas, and I am hopeful that a breakthrough on ticklish issues will also be achieved this time, if all goes according to my assessment," he said in an interview to daily `The News` ahead of Vajpayee`s arrival here today to take part in the summit.
On the possibility of his one-on-one meeting with Vajpayee, he said "people are talking about one-on-one meeting or otherwise but the meetings will take place ... We will be together in the conference and at the retreat arranged here at the prime minister`s house and then informal meetings where every one will be free to talk on issues," Jamali said.
"Ice has been broken with recent spate of confidence-building measures initiated and taken by Pakistan and India," he said. Jamali said Vajpayee`s consent to attend the SAARC summit is in itself a "very positive development" and we have been able to come out of the deadlock.
The Pakistani premier said resolution of Kashmir issue was possible as he felt comfortable discussing the issue with the Indian Prime Minister.
"Prime Minister Vajpayee is a liberal and amiable man. I feel comfortable holding a dialogue with Prime Minister Vajpayee," he said.
Even though they have never met, but he did talk to him on telephone a couple of times, he said adding that Vajpayee was "considerate and receptive".
Hoping that a mutual dialogue would surely lead to an early and acceptable solution to all outstanding disputes and issues, including the Kashmir problem, he said, "A lot of time has already been wasted. I believe India and Pakistan have moved forward vis-a-vis bilateral relations recently. I will strive to take things ahead beyond this point."
Dubbing the Agra summit as a failure, he said that "since it did not work out, people naturally had their reservations. We wouldn`t want a repetition of a failure. In the 21st century, I think a breakthrough is imperative for both the countries".
On the progress made by the two through various CBMs, he said "India and Pakistan are able to make big breakthrough in various sectors...The hotlines have started functioning well, the bus service has already started and I am sure that bus travel between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad will take place as dialogue is on for it. Opening of Khokharapar and Munnobao road link and ultimately rail link are on the cards".
Jamali said there is a need to convince all concerned that war is not the solution and it is imperative to achieve breakthrough for which the first requirement is to hold composite dialogue.
"I hope that the countries concerned would come up with positive approach and this SAARC conference will bring about a good result."
He said measures taken by Pakistan reflected a positive approach and India has replied positively as well. So we are in a position to have a dialogue.
Terming the ceasefire announced by Pakistan in November last year as a "good omen”, he said "I think the ceasefire has proved a good omen and yielded results. The people are relieved, as all want peace, no-one wants war".
On the issue of terrorism and cross-border infiltration, Jamali said Pakistan has its own stand.
Claiming that Pakistan was a victim of terrorism and supported war on terrorism, he said, "We are not part of terrorism ... We are victim of terrorism and we cannot support terrorism. One cannot stop talking based on conjunctures, as Pakistan is supportive of anti-terrorism actions worldwide."
He said Indians have their own frame of mind and free to talk on such issues. "We, however, opposed terrorism in all its manifestations."
On Kashmir, he said, people have their own priorities. "Some say it is terrorism, others say that it`s a freedom movement," he said and referred to the additional protocol on terrorism. Bureau Report