M A I N   N E W S

PM raises terrorism issue with Jamali
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 29
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today claimed that he had raised the issue of cross-border terrorism faced by India during last night’s telephonic talk with his Pakistani counterpart Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali.

Addressing the members of the BJP Parliamentary Party, the Prime Minister declined to say anything more in view of the ongoing Parliament session and added that he would make a statement if necessary in the House.

Confirming that he has been invited to visit Pakistan, but has not accepted the invitation, Mr Vajpayee said, “I was invited to visit Pakistan by Prime Minister of that country, but I have not accepted it”.

Party spokesman V.K. Malhotra, briefing reporters after the meeting, said the Prime Minister informed the members that the issue of terrorism figured in the telephonic talk with Mr Jamali.

Asked about the details of what transpired at the meeting, Mr Malhotra said the Prime Minister told the meeting that as Parliament was on, he would not like to divulge the details of the conversation with Mr Jamali and if the issue figured in Parliament, he may make a statement in the House.

Meanwhile, Pakistan today said the telephonic talk between the two Prime Ministers was a “good start” and voiced confidence that it would bear “fruitful results” in easing tensions.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Mahmood Kasuri said the two countries were following the “right approach” while its Information Minister Sheikh Ahmad Rashid indicated that Indo-Pak “negotiations” was going to “start”. Mr Rashid, however, did not specify at what level the talks would resume.

Mr Kasuri, while speaking to NDTV, said the people of the two countries had no alternative other than seeking ways to improve their relations. He, however, cautioned that there may be “lot of people” who may not like to see any improvement in Indo-Pak relations and try to derail the peace process.

Mr Kasuri said he was particularly interested in Mr Vajpayee and his Pakistani counterpart, Mr Jamali, touching upon ways to increase people-to-people ties and enhance economic and sports links.

Mr Kasuri said there was a need for India and Pakistan to have a “sustained and composite” dialogue to discuss all issues of mutual concerns.

Mr Rashid said he was confident that the highest political contact since the deadlocked Agra summit would help in easing tensions. “It is a good start. Let us hope for the best,” he said. 

Govt clarifies on invitation

New Delhi, April 29
Hours after a BJP spokesman said that the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, had not accepted his Pakistani counterpart Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali’s invitation to visit that country, the government tonight clarified that the invitation issue figured in a "very general way" between the two leaders and was not pursued further.

"It is not correct to say, as reported in a section of the media, that the Prime Minister did not accept the invitation to visit Pakistan, extended by Prime Minister Jamali," an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said. PTI