Washington, September 8: In a virtual snub to Pakistan, the US has rejected any parallels between East Timor and Kashmir and praised the ongoing “election process” in India as an example of the country's dedication to democracy.
”East Timor is not Kosovo. East Timor is not Kashmir”, US State Department spokesman James Rubin said at a press briefing on Tuesday when asked on whether the situation in Kashmir could be compared with that of East Timor. “With respect to elections, let me say that India's latest elections are only the most recent example of its dedication to democratic principles”, he said.
He, however, refused to comment on the legitimacy of the ongoing election process in Kashmir in view of the low turnout of voters. “It is not for us to comment on the legitimacy of elections in any part of Kashmir”, he said. Rubin's remarks come close on heels of a recent statement by Pakistan Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz that the low turnout in Kashmir is indicative of alienation felt by the Kashmiris.
”East Timor is not Kosovo. East Timor is not Kashmir”, US State Department spokesman James Rubin said at a press briefing on Tuesday when asked on whether the situation in Kashmir could be compared with that of East Timor. “With respect to elections, let me say that India's latest elections are only the most recent example of its dedication to democratic principles”, he said.
He, however, refused to comment on the legitimacy of the ongoing election process in Kashmir in view of the low turnout of voters. “It is not for us to comment on the legitimacy of elections in any part of Kashmir”, he said. Rubin's remarks come close on heels of a recent statement by Pakistan Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz that the low turnout in Kashmir is indicative of alienation felt by the Kashmiris.
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