3. India-Pakistan Summit
A senior Pakistani official stated that Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf would be conducting consultations with political groups, religious leaders and intellectuals before his upcoming summit with Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee in India. The officials said that Musharraf wanted to develop a consensus about the summit before going.
"Musharraf to consult leaders on summit"
Pakistan Major General Rashid Qureshi, press secretary to Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf, stated that Pakistan was prepared to show flexibility over Kashmir, but argued that looking to the Lahore agreement would be analogous to taking two steps backward. Qureshi stated that the Indian government appears sincere in its offer of talks, but that neither side should say something that will make the other's stance rigid.
"We are flexible on Kashmir, says Musharraf aide"
"India Sincere in Inviting Musharraf: Pak"
Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said the government and the people of Pakistan "will be very content... if the two leaders have a meeting of minds with regard to the destination and the directions and the modalities of reaching that direction." Sattar stated that he did not think they would achieve an agreement in two days.
"'Musharraf going to India with positive spirit'"
"Sattar hopes for 'useful' dialogue with India"
Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf spoke positively about the summit and stated to the media in Pakistan that he was going to India with "an open mind" to "change history." He said, "The chances of moving forward have never been brighter than they are now." He also said, "Kashmir is my agenda. Discussions on the eight other points without Kashmir is not acceptable." He also referred to the summit as "the unfinished agenda of partition." He also said that it was "regrettable" that Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh stated that the whole of Jammu and Kashmir was an inseparable part of India. He has often reiterated that no solution to Kashmir will be acceptable unless it fulfills the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
"Musharraf wants 'new beginning' in ties with India"
"Musharraf says he will change history on Kashmir"
"'This Time We Must Change History'"
"No solution of Kashmir acceptable, if it does not fulfil aspirations of Kashmiris: "