Pakistani general: collaboration with India, but no outside interference
Islamabad (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Easing the tension with India, and reestablishing the peace process in the region, without accepting outside interference, pressure or compromise. This is the affirmation today by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, head of the Pakistani armed forces, during a summit with English foreign minister David Miliband. The discussion included the tension between India and Pakistan following the attacks in Mumbai last November 26, the war against terrorism in Pakistan, and other security issues in the region.
"Pakistan desires dilution of tension and peace in the region," General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani stated, but "outside interference" will not be tolerated, and there will be no compromise on security in the country. He also emphasized that the Pakistani army is ready to confront any situation. This statement sounds like a response to another by the head of the armed forces in New Delhi, General Deepak Kapoor, who recalled that India will keep all of its options open, including war as a last resort.
In his meeting with the Pakistani general, English diplomacy head Miliband replied that war would do no good: "War is not in the interest of any one, Pakistan and India should opt for dialogue." He also gave assurances that England will help to restore dialogue between the two countries.
In the meantime, the diplomats of Islamabad and New Delhi are seeking to restore relations, after days of tension and mutual accusations launched through the media. Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari confirms the desire to uncover the "full facts" behind the massacre in Mumbai, and asks for India's collaboration in the trial of the terrorists believed to be responsible for the attacks. Salman Bashir, Pakistan's foreign minister, has also told Indian high commissioner Satyabrata Pal about the "series of actions" taken by the government so far, and expressed his hope for the resumption of the peace process between the two countries. Yesterday, Pakistani prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called for India's "full collaboration" in the trials against the suspected attackers, and reiterated the "seriousness" with which Islamabad intends to punish those responsible.
Today, finally, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit the Trident-Oberoi hotel, one of the sites attacked by the terrorists last November 26. It is the first official visit of the Indian prime minister to Mumbai after the attacks.
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