CALCUTTA: Pakistan’s high commissioner to India, Riaz Khokar, on May 6 questioned US interest in determining whether Pakistan was involved in sponsoring terrorism. Addressing a Press conference here, Khokar asked how the US was directly affected “by Pakistan’s alleged sponsorship of terrorism.” He was responding to questions on the Pressler amendment.
Kashmir, he said, was “not Indian, territory” and, therefore, the situation there was Pakistan’s concern. Khokar however, contradicted himself saying that Kashmir was a “genuine indigenous problem” for India. Pakistan’s support to the people of Kashmir was “diplomatic, moral and political.”
He explained that unless there was genuine and serious discontent, arming the Kashmiris would not have resulted in the levels of violence that have been the norm in the Valley. He accused India of planting exaggerated reports on the visits, pointing out that diplomats did not usually disclose their views to anyone other than their own government.
Asked if his trip to Calcutta and meetings with politicians and industnalists here, was a part of the confidence building measures recommended by the US. Khokar said “I am not here on the advice of the State Department.”
Khokar said Pakistan was genuinely interested in improving trade and business relations between the two countries, but it could not allow free cross- border trade Pakistan’s industry had to be protected against India’s larger and more diversified industry, he said.
Expressing surprise at how every possible misfortune in India was blamed on the ISI of Pakistan, Khokar said the reports were “planted.”
Article extracted from this publication >> May 13, 1994
