CBMs can follow only after resolving Kashmir issue

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (L) speaks with Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh (R) during a meeting in Rawalpindi yesterday. Musharraf held his first talks with Singh as the nuclear neighbours pushed forward a tentative new roadmap to peace. PHOTO: AFP

"While we are working both on dialogue and CBMs with India, Kashmir is the main dispute, which must be resolved. Until there is a progress towards its resolution, there can be no headway on CBMs or other issues," he said addressing army officers at the concluding ceremony of the army war games 'Sabit Qadam-III' on Thursday night.

Musharraf's comments come ahead of his scheduled meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh on Friday.

Asserting that Pakistan wanted peaceful resolution of all issues with India including Kashmir, he said maintenance of credible, conventional and strategic deterrence was the cornerstone of Pakistan's national security strategy.

"We shall not only maintain it (the policy of deterrence) but also enhance it further," an official statement quoted Musharraf as saying.

He also assured the participants of the wargames that balance of power in the region would be maintained and needs of modern hardware, weaponry and technology of the three services would be met.

The vice-chief of army staff General Yousuf Khan who acted as the director of the war games, expressed his satisfaction on drawing all the intended lessons set for exercise Sabit Qadam-III.

Sabit Qadam-III, a computer simulated war games exercise, was undertaken by the Pakistan army for a few weeks at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Earlier Musharraf, during talks with visiting German Foreign Minster Joschka Fischer, expressed concern over Germany's support for India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

"President Musharraf said 'We respect Germany,' but he noted his concerns about India getting a permanent seat," a German diplomat told reporters after their talks.