Gen Musharraf was personally involved in Kargil episode: UK
London, November 28: Britain has said the military ruler in Pakistan Gen Pervez Musharraf was personally involved in the "disgraceful" Kargil episode but has expressed its willingness to begin talks with the new military regime.
"Gen Musharraf has a reputation to live down over his personal involvement in this abortive and disgraceful episode," British Foreign Office Minister Peter Hain said criticising Pakistan's military occupation of Kargil.
While calling for fresh talks on Kashmir with India, Hain told the `Sunday Telegraph' in an interview published today "Kashmir is frightening flashpoint and we know the two countries came very close to a nuclear exchange over it."
In a major policy shift, Britain has told the new military regime in Islamabad that it is ready to begin talks with the army authorities who had overthrown the Nawaz Sharif government in a bloodless coup on October 12.
"Gen Musharraf will find us ready listeners and willing to play a constructive role as long as he gives uncompromising commitments to building a new democracy," Hain said.
Britain also said it wanted Pakistani cooperation to track down exiled Saudi terrorist Osama Bin Laden, currently sheltered by the Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan.
Islamabad should also sever political and financial links with the Taliban and sign the comprehensive test ban treaty on nuclear tests, Hain said.
London, November 28: Britain has said the military ruler in Pakistan Gen Pervez Musharraf was personally involved in the "disgraceful" Kargil episode but has expressed its willingness to begin talks with the new military regime.
"Gen Musharraf has a reputation to live down over his personal involvement in this abortive and disgraceful episode," British Foreign Office Minister Peter Hain said criticising Pakistan's military occupation of Kargil.
While calling for fresh talks on Kashmir with India, Hain told the `Sunday Telegraph' in an interview published today "Kashmir is frightening flashpoint and we know the two countries came very close to a nuclear exchange over it."
In a major policy shift, Britain has told the new military regime in Islamabad that it is ready to begin talks with the army authorities who had overthrown the Nawaz Sharif government in a bloodless coup on October 12.
"Gen Musharraf will find us ready listeners and willing to play a constructive role as long as he gives uncompromising commitments to building a new democracy," Hain said.
Britain also said it wanted Pakistani cooperation to track down exiled Saudi terrorist Osama Bin Laden, currently sheltered by the Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan.
Islamabad should also sever political and financial links with the Taliban and sign the comprehensive test ban treaty on nuclear tests, Hain said.
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