Home > News > Indo-Pak Peace Talk > PTI

US will be helpful in resolving Kashmir: Powell

K J M Varma in Islamabad | March 18, 2004 18:39 IST

The United States will be helpful, but it will not play a central role, in resolving the Kashmir issue, Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Islamabad on Thursday.

Powell, who held talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, also observed that "incidents" along the Line of Control had come down significantly.

Also Read


US to make Pakistan non-NATO ally

Cricket can do wonders: Powell

Powell meets Sonia

Powell arrives in New Delhi


"Ceasefire at the LoC has been holding and everybody acknowledges that the incident level has gone down significantly, that is good. We must keep it there, particularly after the snow melts," Powell, who was in Islamabad on the final leg of his three-nation South Asian tour, told PTV after his talks with the Pakistani leadership.

He declined to get into difference between India and Pakistan over terming Kashmir a core issue. "Kashmir issue is the one that has been a problem between the two countries for over 50 years. It is a problem that they ultimately have to solve. I hope that the process that has been initiated by Prime Minister (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee and President General Pervez Musharraf on January 6 will lead to solutions," he said.

Earlier, addressing a joint press conference with Kasuri, Powell said the Kashmir issue was "essentially a matter that has to be solved between the two sides or it will not be resolved in a satisfactory way".

Powell hoped that both sides would take into account the "needs, desires, aspirations and concerns of the people of the region".

"Everyone understands the importance of Kashmir to this dialogue," he said, adding it was significant that Vajpayee and Musharraf met in Islamabad, which was "a historic step on their part".

"The United States will be watching with great interest and try to help both of our friends," he said.


Article Tools
Email this article
Print this article
Write us a letter



Related Stories


Why did the Pak tour go ahead?

India, Pak resume rivalry

Musharraf meets Indian team



People Who Read This Also Read


Cricket fever grips Hurriyat too







Indo-Pak Peace Talk: The Complete Coverage

© Copyright 2003 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.




Share your comments


 What do you think about the story?




Read what others have to say:


Number of User Comments: 1




Sub: Thanks, Collin ! '' We will call you if we need you. Dont just barge in. OK ?''

Thanks, Collin, but we will fend this for ourselves. Thanks for your kind offer but we would not like a third party to intervene or ...


Posted by chanakya




Disclaimer







Copyright © 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.