ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Primakov moots new mechanism to resolve Indo-Pak disputes

Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov has said that it was possible to evolve a mechanism that "will enable India and Pakistan to resolve their disputes''.

Kashmir, he said, is the most important issue between the two countries and that India is keen to solve the dispute bilaterally. The two countries can be helped in this process without any foreign interference, or raising it in any international fora, he said.

Primakov made these observations yesterday at a press briefing before leaving Geneva, where he had participated in the meeting of P-5 foreign ministers.

He, however, acknowledged the fact that the achievement of peaceful settlement of disputes in the Indian subcontinent "will be a very complex exercise.''

Primakov disclosed that although some participants in the Geneva meet had proposed imposition of economic sanctions against India and Pakistan, they were strongly opposed, as it was felt in some quarters that such sanctions often prove to be counterproductive.

The forthcoming London meeting of the G-8 on June 12 will discuss the problems that have emerged after the nuclear tests carried out by India and Pakistan, Primakov said. ''The representatives of other states may also be invited to participate in one form or the other.''

The Russian government, Primakov reiterated, is committed to initiating moves for a peaceful settlement of disputes between India and Pakistan, Novosti quoted him as saying.

According to the Russian foreign minister, the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan do not testify to their possessing nuclear weapons.

Primakov endorsed the demand made by India regarding universal nuclear disarmament. The Russian Duma, he said, will begin discussions on the ratification of the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks II treaty.

Immediately after the ratification, the talks on START III between Russia and the US will commence, he disclosed, hoping this will further reduce the number of warheads in the possession of major world powers.

He told mediapersons that Russia hopes that other members of the nuclear club -- UK, France and China -- will also be part this process.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report