Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday called upon Prime Minister A B Vajpayee to accept his offer of dialogue on Kashmir and facilitate an end to the current standoff on the border.
Addressing the joint session of Pakistan occupied Kashmir`s legislative assembly and legislative council in Muzaffarabad, the first by any Pakistan head of state in 12 years, on `Solidarity Day`, General Musharraf said that India wants to impose a military solution to the Kashmir issue in defiance of the United Nations charter and Security Council resolutions.
``Departure from the United Nations` decisions have only prolonged conflict and aggravated the situation,`` he said. He said that Pakistan`s stand was that the Kashmir dispute must be resolved in accordance with the UN charter and the wishes of the people of Kashmir and reiterated `political, diplomatic and moral support` to their `just and noble struggle`.
Decrying `Indian atrocities on Kashmiris` for over half a century, he said ten million Kashmiris cannot be denied their right of freedom. Accusing India of shrugging from holding talks with his country. The President said the massive deployment of troops on the border was menacing but added, ``If war was imposed on us we will defend every inch of our soil to the last drop of blood and there should be no doubt of our resolve in this regard.``
The General also said that India`s claim that Kashmir was its integral part was `untenable and unacceptable` to Pakistan. While appealing to the international community to intervene on the Kashmir issue, he said it cannot be side-stepped any more and had to be `discussed and addressed seriously` as we want a `just and peaceful solution`.
Bureau Report
