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I am not here to mediate, Clinton tells Parliament

In a historic gesture, American President Bill Clinton today told the special joint session of Parliament that it was time now for the two largest democracies of the world to make a new beginning, based on mutual trust, cooperation, and respect for each other.

In the course of his address, the American president also told the gathering that contrary to speculation, he was not in South Asia to mediate between India and Pakistan.

"Only India and Pakistan can sort out their problems, it is not for anyone else to do so," he said in the most categorical statement to emerge from the American administration on the problem.

Referring to the carnage of Sikhs in the Valley, Clinton said he condemned the violnce in the strongest terms possible.

On the nuclear issue and CTBT, the president said, "Only India can know what is good for its security, only India can know how much it needs to spend on its defence. It is not in my place to advise a great nation what to do."

Earlier, vice-president and Rajya Sabha chairman Krishna Kant expressed the hope that Clinton's visit to India will strengthen the bonds between the two countries and 'erase some memories of the past'.

In his welcome address in the Central Hall of Parliament this morning, Krishna Kant said both countries were poised on a new partnership at the start of the new century with the United States already emerging as India's largest trade partner.

While Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lok Sabha speaker G M C Balayogi were seated along with Clinton and Kant on the tastefully decorated dais in the Central Hall, those present and introduced to the dignitary on his arrival included former president R Venkataraman, former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao and H D Deve Gowda, leaders of the opposition in both houses Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, members of the Union cabinet and prominent sitting and former members of Parliament.

Describing Clinton's visit as the ''beginning of a new voyage in the new century'', Vajpayee today said India and the US have all the potential to become natural allies.

Speaking after Clinton's address to the joint session of Parliament, Vajpayee said both countries must move beyond a mere intersection of interests to a ''focusing of our vision''.

CLINTON VISITS INDIA : The complete coverage

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