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Musharraf wants India to review "rigid" stance

Pakistan's military ruler General Parvez Musharraf has said the settlement of Kashmir dispute depended on whether India was ready to review its "rigid" stance on the issue.

"We have seen some statements by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee suggesting he might be prepared to reconsider India's rigid stance on the issue of Kashmir. These words have not been followed by deeds so far," Gen Musharraf told Egyptian Middle East News Agency in an interview.

The Pakistani press published excerpts of the interview but did not mention whether the interview was held before or after the February 22 announcement by India extending the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir by three months.

Renewing his oft-repeated offer to hold talks with India anywhere, any time to discuss Kashmir and other bilateral issues, Musharraf said India avoided talks by imposing unacceptable pre-conditions.

"We hope New Delhi will soon realise the futility of its efforts to impose a military solution in Kashmir. There is no alternative to a peaceful resolution of this dispute and no justification for delaying the commencement of a meaningful dialogue for its settlement."

Insisting on the visit of an Hurriyat delegation to Islamabad for starting tripartite talks involving India, Pakistan and the Hurriyat, Gen Musharraf said Pakistan had already accepted Hurriyat's demand for three-way talks as they were the representatives of Kashmiris.

"The purpose of the delegation's visit is to hold consultations on the commencement of the tripartite process of negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue in accordance with wishes of Kashmiri people," he said.

PTI

The Kashmir ceasefire: The complete coverage

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