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Clinton’s offer on Kashmir

WASHINGTON, Feb 17 (PTI) — In the run up to his visit to New Delhi next month, President Bill Clinton has said the US wants to be “more involved” in resolving the Kashmir issue but both India and Pakistan must agree for such a mediation.

He did not rule out the possibility of his visit to Pakistan during his South Asian tour, but said he would take a decision based on “what I think will best serve our long-term interests” which included issues of nuclear non-proliferation and promoting democracy.

Stating that a possible conflict between India and Pakistan was a “very real danger” posing a grave security threat to the US interests, Mr Clinton told reporters yesterday that “I think the USA should be more involved” in solving the Kashmir issue.

“Absolutely, I would,” he said when asked if he would intervene in the Kashmir issue, but hastened to add that India and Pakistan will have to “work out this business of Kashmir” between themselves and the USA will get involved if both countries ask for it.

“But if they do not want us, it won’t do any good. We would just be out there talking into the air, and I am not in for that,” Mr Clinton said.

India has maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and should be resolved peacefully and through dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad.

The US President said it was “heartbreaking for me to see how much they (India and Pakistan) hold each other back by being trapped in yesterday’s conflicts.”

“If the tension between India and Pakistan... could be resolved, it is my opinion... That the Indian subcontinent might be the great success story of the next 50 years.”

Asked if he would visit Islamabad during his forthcoming tour to South Asia, Mr Clinton said “I have not decided whether I am going to Pakistan or not.

“I will make a decision based on what I think will best serve our long-term interests in non-proliferation, in trying to stop a nuclear arms race and in promoting stability, democracy and a resolution of the conflict between India and Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Mr Clinton in a letter to Congressman Gary Ackerman said “I agree that a bilateral dialogue is the most productive approach to a solution” of Kashmir dispute.