NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
K J M Varma in Islamabad
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said there were "fluctuating signals" from India on easing tensions between the two countries and ruled out Islamabad accepting the Line of Control as a border.
"There is a fluctuation in the signals we are receiving from New Delhi. They are not consistent in their statements," he said referring to the present standoff between India and Pakistan.
"We want peace. But if war is thrust upon us, it will be met with force and we will teach them a lesson. I am fully satisfied with the capability and preparedness of our armed forces," he told a Lebanese journalist in an interview on Thursday.
Musharraf said Pakistan couldn't accept the LoC as a border. "It cannot be the solution to the problem. We have fought four wars over the LoC," he said, reacting to reports that India and Pakistan discussed the LoC during the Agra summit.
Outlining his approach to resolve the Kashmir issue, Musharraf reiterated his old formula that both countries should begin a dialogue, followed by the recognition of Kashmir as a core issue.
"The first step should be the resumption of dialogue. Second should be to accept Kashmir as a central issue. The third is to negate any solution, which is not accepted to both the countries and the fourth is to apply the remains of solution and solve it according the wishes of Kashmiris," he said.
About the ongoing crackdown against militant groups, he denied he was doing it at the instance of India.
"What I did was in the supreme national interest of Pakistan," he said.
PTI
Tell us what you think of this report
Call India
