No unilateral flexibility on Kashmir: Kasuri
By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri on Wednesday categorically stated that there was no change in Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir and it would not show flexibility unilaterally to find a solution to the lingering core dispute.
“There is no change in our stand. There cannot be a change in our stand alone, it has to be reciprocal”, Kasuri told the media here at the Foreign Office. To a question about the recent interview of President General Pervez Musharraf to an Indian television channel, the Foreign Minister said, “the President has said nothing new, as the proposals that he has made (in the interview), he has made many times in the past”.
The Foreign Minister said, “our position is very clear..., Pakistan will not move unilaterally. What the President has done is to give a lot of thought so that there can be a debate”. “There should be a debate in India...debate in Pakistan which should be positive.” “I am surprised the way some people have reacted over the President’s proposals. There is no change at all. The President has talked of demilitarization, self-governance and a mechanism, an over-arching mechanism that will include Indians, Pakistanis and the Kashmiris,” he added.
Replying to another question, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan’s claim on Kashmir was self-evident and added “our legitimacy derives from the UN Security Council resolutions. There cannot be two opinions. Where else is our claim; it is the UNSC resolutions.”
He said President Musharraf like a brave and courageous leader has said that he was prepared to show flexibility, if India were to show flexibility. To another question, Kasuri said, “Let us be clear that it is the Kashmiris who have to decide. Our position is very principled”.
“We do not have the acquiesced instinct. We live in the 21st century, our position is clear. We will not accept any solution that the Kashmiris reject - that is the bottom line”, he added. The Foreign Minister, however, added, “we are trying to create a situation which is win-win for all - for Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris”. “We hope that with the experience of the past, they will go for a solution that satisfies the aspirations of the Kashmiris”, he said and added that Indians “are also well aware as Pakistan that the purpose of this exercise is to create peace and that can only come if we have a solution which is acceptable to all.”
Kasuri told a questioner that a solution which is ultimately found will have to be in consonance with the aspirations of the Kashmiris. “Do not forget there is a 60-year experience for India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris.” “Look at the conflict resolution anywhere in the world. What President Musharraf has said is very clear that for conflict resolution there has to be compromise by the all parties involved,” he said. The Foreign Minister made it clear that it is not going to be a unilateral compromise by Pakistan. He said the only feasible way for the two countries, which both were armed with nuclear weapons and missiles, was talks under the composite dialogue and “we are continuing to talk on all issues including Kashmir.”
“So there is the cumulative experience of the last 60 years that is coming into play”, he added. The Foreign Minister further said the world history shows that the countries that fought bitter wars came to realize that there were other ways to settle conflicts.