ID :
13347
Tue, 07/22/2008 - 12:37
Auther :
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http://m.oananews.org//node/13347
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Indo-Pak peace process under stress: Menon
New Delhi, Jul 22 (PTI) Accusing "elements" in Pakistan for the suicide attack on Indian mission in Kabul, India Monday made it clear that the recent spate of terror attacks and ceasefire violations triggered from across the border haveput the peace process "under stress".
In some tough-talking, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon told his Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir that theseconcerns of New Delhi must be addressed.
After the fifth round of the Indo-Pak composite dialogue on peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and other Confidence Building Measures (C.B.Ms), Menon told reporters that "the composite dialogue process was under stress." He said the talks were happening at a "difficult time of our relationship with Pakistan" following the return ofdemocracy there.
"Unfortunately, there have been several issues in the recent past which have vitiated the atmosphere and thecomposite dialogue process is under stress," Menon said.
In this context, he referred to the recent violations of the ceasefire along the LoC, cross-border terrorism andincitement of violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
"There have been public statements by some leaders in Pakistan, who are reverting to the old polemics," Menon said, adding all these things had culminated into the suicide bombing at the Indian embassy in Kabul in which over 40 people, including Indian Defence Attache, and other employeesof the mission, were killed.
"Our investigations so far point towards a few elements in Pakistan to be behind the (Kabul) blast," he said, but refused to identify these elements saying investigationswere continuing.
Observing that the dialogue process between the two countries was started to negotiate and find a peaceful solution to all outstanding issues, the Foreign Secretary said the atmosphere had been "vitiated" by the recent terrorattacks that were condemned by both sides at the talks Monday.
Both sides felt that the ceasefire was "under stress"but agreed that it must be continued and further strengthened.
"We should use all existing measures to ensure that theceasefire is maintained," Menon said.
"We discussed Jammu and Kashmir. The Directors General and the Joint Secretaries of the two countries met in Islamabad on July 18 and decided on several cross-LoC measuresto check violations of the ceasefire," he said.
On the confidence building measures, he said the two sides decided to double the frequencies of the two bus services between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkotand also agreed on measures to enhance cross-L.o.C. trade.
He said the meeting gave an opportunity for free and frank discussion on these issues between the two sides as "we consider it important for this dialogue to continue in order that these serious concerns are addressed." Menon said Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke last evening to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee who also "mentioned some of these points to address our concerns." The two leaders would be meeting in Colombo on the sidelines of the South Asia Association for RegionalCooperation Summit this month end, he said.
Asked whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would also meet his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani in Colombo,Menon said no such meeting has been scheduled so far.
With increasing infiltration bids and terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past, the Indian side also pressed Pakistan for concrete action in this regard. "There has been instances of inciting violence in Jammu and Kashmir,"the Foreign Secretary said.
Asked whether intelligence about the recent terror strikes and other "serious incidents" was shared with the Pakistani side, Menon said "we told them what we know (about these attacks) and what we expect from them. We want to see our concerns redressed. ... We have this dialogue process to address these concerns." Regarding the violation of ceasefire on L.o.C. on three occasions, Menon said both sides agreed that the ceasefire was of "tremendous value" and, hence, the existing mechanismshould be used to further strengthen it.
The Indian side also drew the attention of Pakistan government to recent statements made by some Pakistani leadersregarding relations between the two nations.
He said Indo-Pak relationship had undergone changes, especially in the nature of relationship, after the return ofdemocracy in Pakistan.
Despite the concerns, New Delhi was keen to take forward its ties with Islamabad and resolve all issues that divide the two countries but has been insisting on the creation of an atmosphere free of violence, which involves action against Pakistan-based terrorists. PTI ARC
In some tough-talking, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon told his Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir that theseconcerns of New Delhi must be addressed.
After the fifth round of the Indo-Pak composite dialogue on peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and other Confidence Building Measures (C.B.Ms), Menon told reporters that "the composite dialogue process was under stress." He said the talks were happening at a "difficult time of our relationship with Pakistan" following the return ofdemocracy there.
"Unfortunately, there have been several issues in the recent past which have vitiated the atmosphere and thecomposite dialogue process is under stress," Menon said.
In this context, he referred to the recent violations of the ceasefire along the LoC, cross-border terrorism andincitement of violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
"There have been public statements by some leaders in Pakistan, who are reverting to the old polemics," Menon said, adding all these things had culminated into the suicide bombing at the Indian embassy in Kabul in which over 40 people, including Indian Defence Attache, and other employeesof the mission, were killed.
"Our investigations so far point towards a few elements in Pakistan to be behind the (Kabul) blast," he said, but refused to identify these elements saying investigationswere continuing.
Observing that the dialogue process between the two countries was started to negotiate and find a peaceful solution to all outstanding issues, the Foreign Secretary said the atmosphere had been "vitiated" by the recent terrorattacks that were condemned by both sides at the talks Monday.
Both sides felt that the ceasefire was "under stress"but agreed that it must be continued and further strengthened.
"We should use all existing measures to ensure that theceasefire is maintained," Menon said.
"We discussed Jammu and Kashmir. The Directors General and the Joint Secretaries of the two countries met in Islamabad on July 18 and decided on several cross-LoC measuresto check violations of the ceasefire," he said.
On the confidence building measures, he said the two sides decided to double the frequencies of the two bus services between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkotand also agreed on measures to enhance cross-L.o.C. trade.
He said the meeting gave an opportunity for free and frank discussion on these issues between the two sides as "we consider it important for this dialogue to continue in order that these serious concerns are addressed." Menon said Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke last evening to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee who also "mentioned some of these points to address our concerns." The two leaders would be meeting in Colombo on the sidelines of the South Asia Association for RegionalCooperation Summit this month end, he said.
Asked whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would also meet his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani in Colombo,Menon said no such meeting has been scheduled so far.
With increasing infiltration bids and terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past, the Indian side also pressed Pakistan for concrete action in this regard. "There has been instances of inciting violence in Jammu and Kashmir,"the Foreign Secretary said.
Asked whether intelligence about the recent terror strikes and other "serious incidents" was shared with the Pakistani side, Menon said "we told them what we know (about these attacks) and what we expect from them. We want to see our concerns redressed. ... We have this dialogue process to address these concerns." Regarding the violation of ceasefire on L.o.C. on three occasions, Menon said both sides agreed that the ceasefire was of "tremendous value" and, hence, the existing mechanismshould be used to further strengthen it.
The Indian side also drew the attention of Pakistan government to recent statements made by some Pakistani leadersregarding relations between the two nations.
He said Indo-Pak relationship had undergone changes, especially in the nature of relationship, after the return ofdemocracy in Pakistan.
Despite the concerns, New Delhi was keen to take forward its ties with Islamabad and resolve all issues that divide the two countries but has been insisting on the creation of an atmosphere free of violence, which involves action against Pakistan-based terrorists. PTI ARC
