ISLAMABAD: Robert M. Gates, a special envoy sent by President Bush in an attempt to defuse tensions over the disputed territory of Kashmir, appealed to Pakistan’s leaders today to avoid taking any military moves or other steps that might make a third war with India more likely,
Diplomats who spoke to reporters about Mr. Gates’s 16 hour visit here said the American officials had conveyed to President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and other high ranking Pakistani officials Mr. Bush’s concern that incautious moves could drive the two nations into war over the civil unrest in Indian held Kashmir. The diplomats said Mr. Gates would carry a similar Message to top Indian officials, including Prime Minister V.P Singh in meetings that are scheduled. for New Delhi on Monday.
Mr. Gates, Mr. Bush’s deputy national security adviser, arrived here from Moscow where he took part in talks between Secretary of State James A. Baker and Eduard A. Shevardnadze, the Soviet Foreign Minister. The Moscow talks were said by United States officials to have included a resolve by Washington and Moscow to use their influence to reduce tensions over Kashmir.
India and Pakistan have gone to war over Kashmir in 1948 and 1965. Pakistan has demanded that the residents of Kashmir, who are predominantly Muslim, be allowed to choose their future in a plebiscite. India has insisted that Kashmir is an inalienable part of its territory.
With Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto away in Yemen seeking Islamic countries support on the Kashmir issue, Mr, Gates faced Mr. Ishaq Khan and Lieut Gen Mirza Aslam Beg, the army commander. A Pakistani official said that Mr. Gates delivered a letter from President Bush expressing anxiety about a new war and urging efforts to stop the situation from deteriorating, a similar letter from Mr. Bush is to be delivered in New Delhi.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 11, 1990
