Pakistan's policy on Kashmir issue

I appreciate the sense of objectivity demonstrated by your editorial staff who reproduced the Attend to Kashmir article from The New York Times in your "Other Opinion" column dated Jan. 21, 2002. Please keep it up.

The Kashmir conflict, which is a nuclear flashpoint between the two nuclear powers of the region, needs to be resolved amicably in a peaceful manner. There is a lot of sense in the article by The New York Times, which states that "sooner or later" India and Pakistan will have to peacefully resolve the explosive disagreement on the status of Kashmir. Pakistan welcomed outside mediation, India rejected the idea.

Opportunities come and go, they need to be seized. The diplomats devised the strategies for negotiations, arbitration, adjudication etc., to resolve the discords and disputes between the states. These methodologies need to be applied and opportunities taken to resolve amicably the discords, disputes and differences that exist between the states. The recent instance of a complicated political relationship between Northern Ireland and the Balkans, which has come through the process of negotiations, is a good example.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf is ready for a peaceful process to resolve the Kashmir dispute with India. I hope and wish a better attitude prevails in the mindset of the Indian leadership and they emerge from their xenophobia. Let's not be quixotic but be practical in attitude. India's attitude of remaining incommunicado with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue will not lead to any objectivity.

I appreciate Secretary of State Colin Powell's initiative and request him to remain persistent as a diplomat and attend to the Kashmir issue as it is a matter of humanity, which has resulted in grave suffering for women, children and the elderly alike.

DR. S.M. HAIDER RAZVI

Embassy of Pakistan

Jakarta