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Home  » News » Musharraf plan flexible, says Kasuri

Musharraf plan flexible, says Kasuri

Source: PTI
October 28, 2004 22:27 IST
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The Kashmir formula mooted by President Pervez Musharraf was not new and is open to alterations and changes, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said Thursday, calling for flexibilty from both sides to resolve the Kashmir issue.

There was nothing new in the formula suggested by Musharraf proposing to divide Kashmir on both sides of the LOC into seven regions and then demilitarise them and change their status, Kasuri told reporters in Karachi upon his return from Malaysia.

Various options were considered for finding a final solution to Kashmir issue during the Agra summit, he said. The "President's proposal was meant to invite a debate to resolve the issue. Nothing is final and it is open for alterations and changes."

Noting that both countries should demonstrate flexibility to resolve the Kashmir issue, he said India and Pakistan would have to move from their stated positions to carry the process forward..

"If neither of the parties show flexibility in their stance there will be no solution of Kashmir for another 100 years," he said.

He reiterated that any solution acceptable to both Pakistan and India should also reflect the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. "Kashmiris and their leadership should be taken along as far as this peace process is concerned," he said.

About the next round of talks with India, Kasuri said the negotiations would commence from next month and continue in December.

Asked whether victory by John Kerry in the coming polls will have any impact on Pakistan-US relations, Kasuri replied: "Any government in the US would need Pakistan as much as we need America."

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