Pakistan on Wednesday sought to downplay Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's remarks on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying leaders should realise the 'importance and sensitive' nature of the Kashmir issue.
"I don't think there is any need to react. We are at the receiving end. You just analyse by yourself the statement of the respected Prime Minister Vajpayee for the last one month. So you will be in a better position to realise what he wants to say," Pakistan's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said.
Vajpayee had said on Tuesday night that if talks were to resume with Pakistan on Kashmir issue, they will have to be on the one-third portion of Kashmir which is under Pakistani occupation.
Ahmed told two Indian TV channels separately over telephone that "as far as Pakistan is concerned we are waiting for his [Vajpayee's] response and the timing for the dialogue and we believe and we want that we should start with a good atmosphere and a positive approach...."
Asked at what stage should Kashmir issue come up in the talks, the Pakistani minister said it was a 'million dollar' question. "The most intelligent and intellectual diplomat cannot reply in one sentence on how we are going to manage," he said.
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