WASHINGTON: President Bill Clinton has commented on the latest efforts by US Ambassador to India Frank Wisner and has revealed that the US was working to “encourage a political dialogue in Kashmir that would lead to a restoration of a credible democratic process.” His comments, which indicate that the US has started playing an active part in the Indo Pakistan region, especially on the Kashmir issue which he recognizes as a dispute, came in a letter he wrote on July 11 to prominent Pakistani American Dr. Murtaza Arian in Chicago. Dr. Arian had earlier sought President Clinton’s views in a memorandum he had submitted to him along with three other prominent Pakistanis when they met him at a dinner in Chicago recently.
President Clinton’s remarks gave a broader hint that the package may be more favorable to India than Pakistan as his letter did recognize Kashmir as a dispute but spoke of restoring the democratic process in the troubled area. Observers here have noted the “disturbed reaction” of Pakistani authorities on the message supposed to have been delivered by Ambassador Wisner in his current Visit to Pakistan. “If the US is working for a democratic process in the Indian held Kashmir as against the Pakistan demand of an unsponsored plebiscite, then it would not be the right direction,” observers said. President Clinton, in his letter shared the view that “the Kashmir dispute left unresolved, poses a threat to peace and stability in South Asia.” I believe the only way to obtain absolutions through direct negotiations between India and Pakistan, negotiations that take into account the views of the people of Kashmir,” he wrote to Dr. Arian. Observers said this was a positive approach taken by the President but Islamabad had to work hard to convince the Americans about the modus operandi of how the views of the Kashmiri people should be ascertained.
Mr. Clinton said: “My administration continues to urge both India and Pakistan to return to the negotiating table, and we have offered to facilitate such talks should both parties desire our help.” He welcomed the recent gesture of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to ask Indian Prime Minister Deve Gowda for talks saying: “T was heartened by the recent offer of dialogue by Pakistan Prime Minister Bhutto to the new Indian Prime Minister. “Our Embassy in New Delhi,” the President said, “{s in frequent contact with the major Kashmiri political groups and with Indian officials involved in Kashmir.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 24, 1996
