INDIA: PAKISTAN: KASHMIR TALKS UPDATE скачать в хорошем качестве

INDIA: PAKISTAN: KASHMIR TALKS UPDATE

(12 Jun 1999) English/Nat India and Pakistan have failed to agree on ways to stop the month-long fighting in Kashmir, raising fears of an escalation of the first confrontation since the South Asian neighbours became nuclear powers one year ago. A meeting between the two foreign ministers, Jaswant Singh of India and Sartaj Aziz of Pakistan did little to ease tensions between the two nations. Saturday's meeting between the two foreign ministers was the first diplomatic effort to defuse tension since the fighting erupted after India noticed armed intruders early last month. But as Jaswant Singh of India and Sartaj Aziz of Pakistan emerged from the talks, their positions appeared to be no closer than before. India said airstrikes and ground attacks would continue against fighters who are occupying the snowy heights in its territory and threatening to cut off supply lines to its soldiers. India calls them Pakistani soldiers and Afghan mercenaries; Pakistan describes them as Kashmiri "freedom fighters." Anti-Pakistan protests marked the visit of Aziz, who was surrounded by heavy security. At a news conference held before returning to Islamabad , Aziz said he was optimistic there would be more talks. But no dates were set. SOUNDBITE: ( English ) "I had no illusion of resolving the current difficulties in a single day's visit to New Delhi. But I refuse to be pessimistic. Both our prime ministers are men of peace. I believe that the suggestions I have conveyed today will be duly considered and will help to bring about an atmosphere conducive to the diffusion of the present tension and the restoration of the dialogues envisaged by the Lahore declaration." SUPER CAPTION :Sartaj Aziz , Pakistani foreign minister Aziz said during Saturday's talks, the two sides disagreed on how the fighting started and the nature of the battle. He said he had made several suggestions to India on de-escalating the hostilities and that the chances of escalation were not strong. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I can say that at least the chances of further escalation do not seem very strong...in other words they would not escalate further. Whether it will begin to de-escalate would depend on whether India would accept the proposals I have made." SUPER CAPTION: Sartaj Aziz , Pakistani foreign minister Indian foreign minister Jaswant Singh also threw a news conference giving his version of the conversations. He said that India was outraged that six of its soldiers - whose bodies were handed over by Pakistani authorities - had been tortured and killed and their bodies mutilated. Pakistan has denied the allegation. SOUNDBITE ( English ) : "I made only two points - firstly vacation of aggression in Kargil and secondly inhuman treatment of Indian soldiers in Pakistani custody. I emphasised that armed intrusion amounting to aggression has been committed by Pakistan. Indeed, spokesman admitted that Pakistani army has crossed the line of control and is occupying positions on the Indian side. This point was not denied by foreign minister Sartaj Aziz." SUPER CAPTION: Jaswant Singh , Indian foreign minister Soon after the Singh-Aziz talks ended, Prime Minister Vajpayee called a meeting of all political parties at his home to discuss the Kashmir crisis. The prime minister is scheduled to visit Kargil, the scene of the fighting, on Sunday. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...