'India Has Already Made Its Stand Clear'

The Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, softened also perhaps by theGeneral's letter wishing him well on his knee-operation welcomed Musharraf'sspeech on Tuesday advising the Islamic clergy in Pakistan to stop makingirresponsible statements against India, saying it had generated much goodwillhere.

Speaking to reporters at the Chhatrapati Shivaji airport in Mumbai, where heis to undergo a knee-operation, Mr. Vajpayee said India had always held thatstoppage of hostile propaganda was the first step towards friendship.

"In India we take care to see that nobody says or writes anything aboutneighbours that could create ill feelings and now we are glad Pakistan also hastaken such a step.''

However, he would like to read the full text of speech, he said, adding thathe had been happy with its tone and tenor.

Not DeviatingDenying that India was deviating from its earlier position on talks withPakistan, he stressed that New Delhi had never said it would not hold talks. Allissues including Jammu and Kashmir would be discussed in detail during the visitof Gen. Musharraf and the talks would be within the framework of the ShimlaAgreement and the Lahore Declaration.

Asked how he felt about the talks in view of the Kargil conflict, Mr.Vajpayee said, "we had met on the battlefield earlier and now we will meetin the dwelling of peace.''

He did not comment on the suggestion that the existing Line of Control berecognised as the international border between the two countries, but addedambiguously that "India has already made its stand clear.''

Clarification on NepalThe Prime Minister clarified that he had given "no certificate toanybody" on the happenings in Nepal and expressed confidence that the probeordered by Kathmandu would reveal the truth about the massacre. "I did notmake any hasty statement that there was no conspiracy. I was asked in Bhuj if Isaw any conspiracy. I said I did not see any conspiracy from here (in Bhuj). Infact, those who commented on this were doing so in haste,'' he said, taking ajibe at Chandrashekhar.

Enron:He agreed that there were difficulties in finding a solution, but expressedconfidence that the issue would be sorted out. "Right steps are being takento sort out the matter," he said, adding the Maharashtra government and USenergy major Enron were in a position to resolve the imbroglio. Centre hasalready directed the central electricity authority (CEA) to scout for buyers ofDPC power, mainly in the power-deficient states, he said.

Maharashtra and Karnatka:He regretted not being able to bring about the meeting of the ChiefMinisters of Maharashtra and Karnataka to settle the border dispute between thetwo States and said he hoped to do something in the matter. His view on theinitiation of legal action against those indicted by the Srikrishna Commissionwas that the law should take its own course.

'Lighter vein'Addressing reporters after his arrival in the city, he said jitna beemarhun utna hi likhiye, na kam na jyada (write in proportion of my illness, notless not more) amid, what PTI put as, 'peals of laughter'

Apologising to the people for the inconvenience caused to them on his arrivalhere, Vajpayee said in a lighter vein, mein mumbai me phir aya hun, logon kopareshan karne, (I have come back to Mumbai to trouble all of you)

It is the good wishes of the people that fills me with strength, he added,recalling his previous stay in the city in October last when he underwent asurgery for replacement of left knee joint.

He also attempted a splattering of marathi saying, ata kahi vicharaycheasel tar vichara (shoot questions if you have)

Doors of Mumbai open to all?The prime minister sought to play down the controversy generated by hisremarks during his last visit to the city on the occasion of Mahaveer Jayanticelebrations when he had said that he would like the doors of Mumbai to be openfor all.

His remarks had drawn instant reaction from BJP ally Shiv Sena which hasconsistently maintained that Mumbai was meant for maharashtrians and influx fromoutside states was a problem.

There is no need for any misunderstanding. I had then only discussed thegigantic growth of this city. I am hopeful that civic administration and stategovernment will address the problems arising from increasing flow of populationinto the metropolis.