Talks with Manmohan a breakthrough: Musharraf

Havana, Sep 17: Describing the outcome of his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here as a ''breakthrough'', Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said he was very happy with the talks they had.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 14th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit here this morning, a year after they had last met in New York in September, 2005.

After the meeting, the two leaders appeared together before the media where Dr Singh read out the Joint Statement issued by the two sides.

As he was leaving the venue of the media interaction, Gen Musharraf was accosted by Indian mediapersons who asked him if he was happy with the talks.

"Yes, I am very happy with the talks," he said. Pressed further, and asked if he would describe the outcome as a breakthrough, he said, "Yes, it is. It is very good." Gen Musharraf said he was always happy to talk to the Indian media and would do so later because both leaders had agreed not to say anything beyond the Joint Statement for the present.

He said he did not want any remarks made by him to be misunderstood or hamper the peace process "that we want to move forward." "I will not renege on the assurances I have given. I will not speak today, we are not supposed to," he said.

Asked if he was happy with the Joint Statement, he said, "It is good. I wouldn't want to say anything more." "Mohabbat Zindabad to keh saktae hain," a journalist prompted him. "Mohabbat Zindabad", Gen Musharraf said, with a smile.

A reporter wanted to know if Dr Singh had invited him to visit India.

"I have invited the Prime Minister to visit Pakistan. If he invites me, I will come anytime," Gen Musharraf added.

UNI

Related Stories