'Pakistan's Destructive Approach...'

Following up of the External Affairs Minister’s announcements of October 22 I have three issues toannounce.

Firstly the Chairman of the DTC has written to Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation formallyreiterating the proposal to run additional buses in convoy on already agreed days on the Delhi –Lahore-Delhi route.

Secondly, instructions have been issued to immigration authorities to allow those above the age of 65 tocross at Wagah on foot.

Thirdly, steps have been initiated for free medical treatment to the second lot of 20 Pakistani children.

These three steps have been taken in pursuance of the announcements, which you heard in this very room on22nd of October.

Question : Pakistani Foreign Spokesperson yesterday made strong comments on our proposals saying that it would have beencourteous if India has said that some of those proposals were made by Pakistan. Any response to thosecomments? Secondly he also made a comment on the proposed DPM –APHC leadership meeting. Any reactions?

Navtej Sarna: If you are asking me about the general nature of the comments of the Pakistani Official spokesperson I wouldsay that those comments made yesterday were unfortunate and they were not in keeping with the spirit of thepresent efforts being made. We hope that Pakistan’s response to our proposals will be constructive insubstance and less ‘robust’ in tone and vocabulary.

As far as the second specific aspect of the proposed talks between the APHC leadership and the Deputy PrimeMinister, the comments are regrettably a continuation of Pakistan’s destructive approach to peace in Jammuand Kashmir.

Pakistan, we believe, should deal with our differences and problems with maturity and responsibility and arealization that continuation of old policy is harmful to its own interest.

Question : Don’t you think that such comments vitiate the atmosphere of the peace initiative?

Navtej Sarna: I have said that these comments were unfortunate but we hope that once we get the reaction to our proposalsthat reaction will be constructive in substance.

Question : Prime Minister Jamali had proposed contacts between Coast Guards, don’t you think that it would not havebeen better for India to say yes to that proposal rather than re-phrasing the same proposal?

Navtej Sarna: I don’t think that it’s a one point proposal that was made on October 22 and we were not thinking of onlyone aspect It was an entire raft of proposals which the Government thought fit at this stage to unveil keepingin view the sincerity and seriousness with which the Government views the Prime Ministers initiative of April18 and we thought that was the way to move ahead and we hope that these proposals would receive theconsideration serious examination and response that they deserve.

Question : Do you have any details on the Indian arrested in Dubai? What is the normal procedure?

Navtej Sarna: I have seen those news reports. Our consulate is in touch with local authorities to ascertain full details ofthe case and upon that all assistance as appropriate and consular assistance as requested for would beprovided. That is a normal procedure.

Question : Just one clarification what is this about allowing those above 65 years of age to cross Wagah border?

Navtej Sarna: One of the proposals of 22 October was that we should allow senior citizens to cross Wagah border on foot sothat they don’t necessarily have to go by the Delhi- Lahore bus. They can go and cross over and this is aproposal on which action has been taken and immigration authorities have been instructed to allow them.

Question : India had some objections to the statement made by the Italian Prime Minister to UNGA. Is EAM going to raisethis issue with EU leadership?

Navtej Sarna: I don’t think the purpose of the visit was to raise one issue or the other. India – EU relations at thesummit level are multifaceted and this visit by the External Affairs Minister was in the nature of apreparatory visit on all substantive issues.

Question : Situation in Iraq is getting worse day by day like yesterdays incidents …….. and what is Government ofIndia’s plan with regard to humanitarian assistance?

Navtej Sarna:  As far as the first part of your question is concern India like rest of the world is watching whatever happenson ground with concerns specially the violence that has taken place. As far as the humanitarian assistance andreconstruction are concerned we remain committed to our assistance.

You may like to refer it to the Madrid Donors Conference. We have announced that our assistance forhumanitarian needs of the people of Iraq and the reconstruction efforts till 2004 will now be 30 million USDollars, aimed at bringing humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq and we certainly hope thatcircumstances will prevail which will allow this assistance to reach the people that it is meant to and havemaximum effects for their betterment.

Question : Do you have details for these 30 million US dollars?

Navtej Sarna: The detail are going to be worked out at another Donor Conference were priorities are going to identified andthen specific projects are going to be worked by several countries who have announced the assistance. Ourassistance includes were on the maternity and paediatric hospital on which we are working with Jordan.

Question : Any detail on Prince Charles visit to India?

Navtej Sarna: Arrival has taken place but I don’t have any details. The two meetings with the President and Vice Presidentare scheduled for tomorrow.