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Musharraf pushes Kashmir proposal Musharraf pushes Kashmir proposal
(about 2 hours later)
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has suggested Pakistan would give up its claim over disputed Kashmir if India accepted his peace proposals.Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has suggested Pakistan would give up its claim over disputed Kashmir if India accepted his peace proposals.
Gen Musharraf called for a phased withdrawal of troops in the region and self-governance for Kashmiris.Gen Musharraf called for a phased withdrawal of troops in the region and self-governance for Kashmiris.
India responded, saying its position was that the map could not be redrawn but borders could be made irrelevant.India responded, saying its position was that the map could not be redrawn but borders could be made irrelevant.
Both nations claim Kashmir in its entirety. It has sparked two of their three wars since independence in 1947.Both nations claim Kashmir in its entirety. It has sparked two of their three wars since independence in 1947.
Gen Musharraf told the NDTV channel that he had a "four-point solution" to ending the impasse in the disputed region. Gen Musharraf told an Indian television channel that he had a "four-point solution" to ending the impasse in the disputed region.
The Indian prime minister's position is to make the borders irrelevant, [that] we cannot redraw the map Junior Indian foreign minister Anand SharmaThe Indian prime minister's position is to make the borders irrelevant, [that] we cannot redraw the map Junior Indian foreign minister Anand Sharma
Apart from a phased withdrawal of troops and self- governance for Kashmiris, he said there would be no changes in the borders of Kashmir and a joint supervision mechanism involving India, Pakistan and Kashmir.Apart from a phased withdrawal of troops and self- governance for Kashmiris, he said there would be no changes in the borders of Kashmir and a joint supervision mechanism involving India, Pakistan and Kashmir.
Asked whether he was prepared to give up his country's claim on Kashmir, Gen Musharraf said: "We will have to, yes, if this solution comes up."Asked whether he was prepared to give up his country's claim on Kashmir, Gen Musharraf said: "We will have to, yes, if this solution comes up."
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the remarks are being seen as a message to the Indian establishment that Pakistan is prepared for bold moves if Delhi is willing to reciprocate. The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the remarks are being seen as a message to the Indian establishment that Pakistan is prepared for bold moves if Delhi is willing to reciprocate. Analysts in Pakistan say it is likely that resolving the Kashmir dispute would be very popular among ordinary Pakistanis and would help to isolate the president's Islamist opponents.
Analysts in Pakistan say it is likely that resolving the Kashmir dispute would be very popular among ordinary Pakistanis and would help to isolate the president's Islamist opponents.
It would almost certainly greatly improve economic relations with India, our correspondent says - something analysts believe could help the army retain its position as the dominant power in Pakistan.It would almost certainly greatly improve economic relations with India, our correspondent says - something analysts believe could help the army retain its position as the dominant power in Pakistan.
'Positive moment''Positive moment'
Reacting to the Pakistani president's proposals, India's junior foreign affairs minister Anand Sharma said India's position has been to "make the borders irrelevant".Reacting to the Pakistani president's proposals, India's junior foreign affairs minister Anand Sharma said India's position has been to "make the borders irrelevant".
It is a reasonable position - India must welcome this proposal Analyst C Raja MohanIt is a reasonable position - India must welcome this proposal Analyst C Raja Mohan
"The Indian prime minister's position is to make the borders irrelevant, [that] we cannot redraw the map," he told reporters."The Indian prime minister's position is to make the borders irrelevant, [that] we cannot redraw the map," he told reporters.
He said India did "not want to remain in conflict" with Pakistan.He said India did "not want to remain in conflict" with Pakistan.
Analyst C Raja Mohan welcomed the proposals describing them as the "closest to India's negotiated position [on Kashmir]".Analyst C Raja Mohan welcomed the proposals describing them as the "closest to India's negotiated position [on Kashmir]".
India and Pakistan have fought two wars over KashmirIndia and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir
"It is a reasonable position. India must welcome this proposal. It is a very positive moment shaping up between the two countries," he said."It is a reasonable position. India must welcome this proposal. It is a very positive moment shaping up between the two countries," he said.
The South Asian rivals have been holding talks since 2004 on a range of issues, including Kashmir.The South Asian rivals have been holding talks since 2004 on a range of issues, including Kashmir.
Relations cooled in July when India blamed Pakistan over bombings in Mumbai in which 185 people were killed, and suspended the peace process. Pakistan denied allegations it had been involved.Relations cooled in July when India blamed Pakistan over bombings in Mumbai in which 185 people were killed, and suspended the peace process. Pakistan denied allegations it had been involved.
But last month, officials from the two sides resumed meetings and agreed to set up a joint panel to share intelligence to help fight terrorism.But last month, officials from the two sides resumed meetings and agreed to set up a joint panel to share intelligence to help fight terrorism.
This is not the first time that Gen Musharraf has made "out of the box" proposals on Kashmir in media interviews.This is not the first time that Gen Musharraf has made "out of the box" proposals on Kashmir in media interviews.
And our correspondent says he has in the past expressed growing frustration at the lack of response in Delhi.And our correspondent says he has in the past expressed growing frustration at the lack of response in Delhi.
In January, he called for an Indian army pull-out from three cities to help find a solution to for the divided region. But Delhi said its army movements would not be dictated by a foreign country.In January, he called for an Indian army pull-out from three cities to help find a solution to for the divided region. But Delhi said its army movements would not be dictated by a foreign country.
In March, Gen Musharraf told the BBC that he expected pressure from US President George W Bush for a solution of the Kashmir dispute.In March, Gen Musharraf told the BBC that he expected pressure from US President George W Bush for a solution of the Kashmir dispute.