Clinton Offers Help To Resolve Indo-Pak Differences

US President Bill Clinton yesterday urged India and Pakistan to resolve their differences and offered a more constructive US role to help achieve it. He said that Asia as well as the economies of both countries would reap the benefits.

We can be an even better friends in the next 50 years and a more constructive supporter of resolving these difficulties in the near term, Clinton said referring to the role he wanted the US to play in the sub-continent. Clinton said that it was a matter of continuing concern that the people of Pakistan and India have not been able to work out their differences......because if they could do so, I am convinced that they could quickly begin to enjoy an economic growth rate of the level of the highest East-Asian economies.....and be our best partners for the future, he said. Clinton told a news conference that the US would remain heavily engaged in the region because of the enormous potential of South Asia for good if things go well and for ill if they dont.

On whether he would visit India on the occasion of the golden jubilee of her independence, said he would mark the beginning of a year-long celebration in Washington next week.

While secretary of state Madeleine Albright is expected to visit India and Pakistan this year a congressional delegation led by house of representatives international committee chairman Benjamin Gilman would be taking part in the golden jubilee celebrations.

Arms proliferation remains the key US concern on the sub-continent and had led to a diplomatic confrontation in 1996 when the US defeated an attempt by India to block a global nuclear test ban treaty.