DATE=3/8/2000 TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT TITLE=PAK / CLINTON VISIT NUMBER=5-45594 BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER DATELINE=ISLAMABAD CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: Pakistan is welcoming President Clinton's decision to make a brief stop in the country during his visit to South Asia, later this month. As V-O-A's Scott Anger reports from Islamabad, observers and officials believe the visit will help reduce Pakistan's rising tensions with India over the disputed Kashmir region. TEXT: As the decades-old dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir continues to threaten peace and stability on the sub-continent, many in Pakistan say they hope President Clinton's visit will help re-start dialogue between the two neighbors. Pakistani Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tariq Altaf says Mr. Clinton's visit will give the president the opportunity to see the volatile situation, first-hand. ///ALTAF ACTUALITY/// Kashmir is considered the most dangerous nuclear flash point in the world today. The peace and security in the South Asian region is a fragile and tension-filled situation here. He (Clinton) will have the opportunity of holding consultations with Pakistani leaders, getting their perspectives and getting Pakistan's point of view on the security situation, on relations with India on how peace can be promoted in this region. ///END ACTUALITY/// The Himalayan region of Kashmir lies at the heart of the rivalry between Pakistan and India. The region was divided between the two nations after British rule in South Asia ended in 1947. India controls two- thirds of Kashmir and Pakistan the rest. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir and came close to a third, when the uneasy neighbors waged a bloody border battle that threatened to erupt into all-out war last year. Both countries have tested nuclear devices and declared themselves nuclear powers. Retired Pakistan army general-turned-analyst Talat Masood says there is a growing fear that a low- intensity conflict between the two countries could explode into a nuclear war. Mr. Masood says it is very important that the two sides re-start dialogue. He says, for that to happen, they will need outside assistance. ///MASOOD ACTUALITY/// It is not possible for the two countries -- by themselves -- to really resolve this conflict. It needs international intervention. It needs mediation. No country is better placed than the United States and President Clinton, at this point in time, to bring home to these two countries (Pakistan and India) the importance of getting back to dialogue. ///END ACTUALITY/// High on President Clinton's agenda -- in addition to regional peace and nuclear non-proliferation -- is Washington's call for the return of democracy to Pakistan. The military ousted elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup last October. The military government has accused Mr. Sharif's government of economic mismanagement, corruption and destroying state institutions. The former prime minister is on trial, charged with hijacking, attempted murder and kidnapping. Washington imposed sanctions against Pakistan after the coup and has pushed the military leader, General Pervez Musharraf, to restore democracy as soon as possible. Observers say Mr. Clinton's visit will give a boost to relations between Pakistan and the United States. But Mr. Masood says he does not see any substantial benefits to Pakistan. ///MASOOD ACTUALITY/// In the immediate term, I would not expect that his (President Clinton's) visit would have any immediate, tangible results in the form of any great benefits either in the economic or political field. It's more of a goodwill gesture and it will enhance Pakistan's position. ///END ACTUALITY/// President Clinton will travel to India and Bangladesh during the week of March 20th. The White House has not given a date for the Pakistan visit -- which will be the first by an American president since Richard Nixon stopped in the country in 1969. (SIGNED) NEB/SA/WD 08-Mar-2000 06:18 AM EDT (08-Mar-2000 1118 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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