Musharraf upbeat on talks with India

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 20: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said a solution to festering conflicts with India, including over Kashmir, are within reach after a recent summit with his Indian counterpart.

Speaking to the United Nations General Assembly, he also warned that without an end to ''foreign occupation and suppression of Muslim peoples, terrorism and extremism will continue to find recruits among alienated Muslims in various parts of the world.'' During a summit of Non-Aligned Movement nation in Cuba last Saturday, Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmphan Singh agreed to resume peace negotiations put on hold after a July bombing in Mumbai that killed 186 people. They also decided to establish a joint agency to fight terrorism.

''Improved relations and the conducive international environment have brought an acceptable solution of this longstanding dispute within reach,'' Musharraf said, referring to the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir over which nuclear rivals India and Pakistan fought three wars.

Singh was more cautious, telling reporters traveling with him to New Delhi from Havana that the joint anti-terrorism initiative deserves a fair trial but would be threatened if Islamabad does not do more to curb militant groups.

The White House announced today that President George W Bush, seeking to stave off a Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan, will host a joint meeting on September 27 in Washington with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

The announcement came as the US general overseeing American operations in Afghanistan expressed fresh concern about Taliban military activity being organized and supported from inside Pakistan.

'CALDRON OF CONFLICT'

On the West Asia, Musharraf warned that the greatest challenge to global security, anti-terrorism efforts and UN credibility is the ''caldron of conflict'' afflicting the region.

He called for dialogue and understanding to bridge the divide between the Islamic and Western worlds but said it was ''most disappointing to see personalities of high standing oblivious of Muslim sensitivities at these critical moments.'' He did not give details but the comment may have been a reference to Pope Benedict, who sparked anger among Muslims with recent comments on Islam.

Musharraf said Pakistan does not want to engage in an arms race but promised ''we will do whatever is necessary to preserve the credibility of our minimum defensive deterrence level.'' He also made clear Pakistan would continue to seek access to nuclear technology for peaceful energy generation despite US objections.

Both countries were denied such cooperation because they did not sign the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, which bars most countries from developing nuclear weapons.

But Bush decided in 2005 to open the door to nuclear cooperation with India. He rejected similar cooperation with Islamabad because the former head of Pakistan's nuclear program, A Q Khan, was found to run a black market that sold nuclear technology to Libya, North Korea and Iran.

''We cannot accept discrimination in the nuclear field,'' Musharraf said.

REUTERS