London, June 16: Expressing surprise over Pakistan President Pervez Musharaf's remark over another Kargil-like conflict, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani has questioned the timing of the statement as it comes ahead of the General's meeting with US President George Bush on June 24.
''Even when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had made an offer of talks to Islamabad and said that it would be his last attempt at extending a hand of friendship to Pakistan the general did not say anything significant.


''Their Pprime Minister and Foreign Minister were making statements - so I was thinking that before meeting President Bush, the General would not make any significant statement, that is why when I read this statement, I was surprised,'' Advani said on a private TV channel phone-in programme.

''On the one hand, Vajpayee is making an initiative for peace, extending the hand of friendship for the third time, but on the other hand, the leadership of Pakistan is talking about the repeat of Kargil. A doubt arose in my mind whether it was a case of misreporting. Maybe his attention again goes towards this issue and he says that he did not say so,'' the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Advani said when Vajpayee made the offer he had also said that for a meaningful and purposeful dialogue Pakistan's support to terrorists in India would have to end and the world has supported India on this.

''I have just returned from America, where president bush said he praises the offer made by Vajpayee, and that Vajpayee is right when he says that the killings of innocents in Kashmir would have to stop. So President Bush said that he would speak to Pakistan about this matter,'' he said.

Bureau Report