M A I N   N E W S

Pak offers talks yet again

Islamabad, May 22
Pakistan said today it was prepared to defend itself against any Indian attack, but called for negotiations and vowed to maintain a crackdown on terrorism.

A statement issued after President Pervez Musharraf met a joint session of the National Security Council and the Cabinet said “no organisation in Pakistan will be allowed to indulge in terrorism in the name of Kashmir”.

It said, however, that Pakistan would continue to extend “moral, political and diplomatic support to the legitimate struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the realisation of their right to self-determination”.

The statement called on the international community to “impress upon India the dangers inherent in the explosive situation created as a result of Indian belligerence and obduracy”. AFP

Pak must stop terror: Russia

New Delhi, May 22
External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh today spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Ilya Ivanov and briefed him on the current tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Kaluchak massacre in Jammu.

The Russian Foreign Minister gave his assessment of the situation and observed that Pakistan must stop export of terrorism directed against India.

Meanwhile, amid growing tension on the India-Pakistan border, the UK’s Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, will hold talks with Defence Minister George Fernandes and the three service chiefs here tomorrow.

BRUSSELS: The European Union’s External Affairs Commissioner, Mr Chris Patten, will extend his South Asian tour to visit New Delhi because of mounting tension between India and Pakistan, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

“He will go to Delhi on Thursday night or Friday,’’ commission spokesman Michael Curtis said. “He’s not on a peace mission, it’s not shuttle diplomacy, but given the tension he decided to go.’’ UNI, Reuters