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Pak should take lead for talks, says Vajpayee

India is ready for a dialogue with Pakistan in the wake of its nuclear tests but Islamabad has to take the initiative, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said today.

Addressing a press conference in Pokhran after a public meeting in the town, Vajpayee said India was ready to even hold talks on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty ''but before that various vital issues related to the treaty'' have to be settled.

Vajpayee said he was unaware of the summoning of the Indian ambassador from China for consultations, and that India was in favour of friendly ties with China. Efforts were being made in this directions, he said.

He charged the foreign media with creating a ''false phobia'' about spread of radioactivity due to its five nuclear tests.

He said the Rajasthan government would look into the matter of granting compensation for damage suffered to the properties of villagers living in areas near the blast site.

UNI

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