ISLAMABAD: The United States has welcomed the proposed resumption of talks between India and Pakistan and expressed the hope that the process would lead to early resolution of their long outstanding disputes. “India says it is ready to talk about Kashmir which is highly a positive that can pave way for further confidence-building measures between the two sides,” said the U.S. ambassador to India, Frank Wisner.

The ambassador who arrived in Pakistan July 10, from New Delhi told newsmen at a briefing that the United States was much encouraged to see the chances for a resumption of the dialogue. “I believe there is a favorable disposition in reaching settlement and the statements from the present Indian government to put everything on the table are a good signal. I have come to Islamabad at a time when there is an improvement towards Recommencement of talks between India and Pakistan and this is good news not only for Washington but also for the whole world,” he said.  He said his country appreciated Prime Minister Benazir

Bhutto’s statement showing 1 interest in starting negotiations with the new government in India. I have been visiting Pakistan from time to time and the US ambassador in Pakistan also undertook visits to New Delhi with a view to helping improve relations between the two neighbors. Asked whether it was true that his visit to Pakistan was part of some special mission to facilitate a Camp David type accord between India and Pakistan, Mr. Wisner denied that the US had any such plan to be implemented tm the subcontinent. He said he had not seen a report of Mr. Stephen who had reportedly talked about a Camp David type accord being in the offing. He also denied having any formula for the solution of outstanding problems between India and Pakistan and said. To a question, the ambassador said that during his discussion with Indian authorities before leaving for Pakistan and now after meeting Pakistan officials in Islamabad, he found an enormous amount of willingness between the two neighbors to resume early talks for settling outstanding disputes.

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 24, 1996