Pakistan Charges India With Vitiating Atmoshphere

Pakistan yesterday charged India with vitiating the atmosphere on the eve of the third round of foreign secretary-level talks and reiterated its demand for a third country mediation between the two neighbours.

We see an attempt to vitiate the atmosphere and evoke anger in Pakistan so that people question the viability of the talks, Tariq Altaf, spokesman for the Pakistani foreign office, said here while commenting on the recent incidents of firing along the line of control in Kashmir.

Similar pattern was adopted before the second round of foreign secretary-level talks when he alleged there were incidents of air space violations and killing of a Pakistani Major in firing along the Sialkot border.

He alleged the current upsurge in firing along the LoC in Kashmir was also such an attempt before the third round of talks scheduled for next month.

Many governments, including the US, have offered their services in mediation between New Delhi and Islamabad, he said adding We are amenable to accept the offer of mediation by any third country.

Commenting on the Indian allegations that Pakistani army resorted to heavy firing along the loc since Saturday last to provide covering to the infiltating terrorists, Altaf said We invite New Delhi to agree to neutral monitoring of LoC. But India is not agreeing to this proposal.

These allegations were basically to vitiate the atmosphere before the bilateral talks.

When asked specifically whether the current situation is going to mar the dialogue process, the spokesman said we are continuously assessing the situation and trying to read intentions on the other side.

He also referred to the statement of Indian defence minister Mulayam Singh Yadav that talk may not be affected due to the firing incidents.

When asked whether dates for the third round of talks have been finalised, he replied, dates are still under consideration.