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Musharraf Move Has Symbolic Bearing On India Summit
ISLAMABAD, June 21 (News Agencies) - As new Pakistani president, military ruler General Pervez Musharraf will receive the protocol accorded a head of state in New Delhi, but the political change may not have a real impact on negotiations in India, analysts said Thursday.
Musharraf claimed the presidency after removing President Mohammad Rafiq Tarar on Wednesday, just under three weeks before the landmark July 14-16 summit with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
Former information minister Mushahid Hussain said the change would have a more symbolic impact rather than any substantial significance.
"I don't think it is India-related. It will raise the protocol for Musharraf," he said.
"If the settlement of the Kashmir dispute is fair and in line with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and acceptable to the people of Pakistan, it makes no difference whether he goes in military uniform or civilian dress."
Vajpayee issued a surprise invitation to Musharraf on May 23rd for talks on resolving the thorny issue of Kashmir, one that has long plagued peace moves in South Asia since the creation of both Pakistan and India during partition in 1947.
In another startling move Wednesday, India said it recognized Musharraf's assumption of the country's presidency and would grant him appropriate treatment when he visited New Delhi.
Meanwhile, the Indian foreign office released the text of a letter sent by Indian President R.K Narayanan to President Musharraf.
"I extend my best wishes on your assumption of office of President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan."
"India has always desired to establish a relationship of peace, friendship and cooperation with Pakistan. It is our hope that your visit to India next month as President of Pakistan will move India-Pakistan relations in positive and constructive directions."
"Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," ended the letter.
Vajpayee also addressed Pakistan's military ruler as "Mr. President" and congratulated him by telephone a few hours before he assumed the title, a government spokeswoman said on Thursday.
The Press Trust of India news agency quoted Indian Parliamentary Affairs Spokesman Pramod Mahajan as saying that Vajpayee would consult senior opposition party leaders on the upcoming visit in a meeting on July 9th.
"Vajpayee is expected to take over 40 leaders of various political parties into confidence on the crucial issue and explain the government's stand on Kashmir," said the news agency.
The summit will be the first after a two-year freeze in official contacts between Pakistan and India that followed a bloody border conflict in Kashmir's Kargil region in mid-1998.
The Himalayan state, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both, has caused two wars between the rival neighbors who also conducted tit-for-tat nuclear tests in May 1998.
Political commentator Khalid Mahmood said Musharraf's move would enhance his authority during the summit talks in India.
"It is a tactical move and the timing is very important. He is not going to India as chief executive, which is a self-created office," he said. "He is now eminently qualified to deal with India."
Mahmood dismissed criticism from the United States and Britain, saying the Indian reaction was "prompt and proper."
An infuriated United States Wednesday condemned Musharraf for claiming the presidency, hours after his foreign minister assured Secretary of State Colin Powell that democracy would soon be restored.
U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said that Washington was "very concerned and very disappointed that Pakistan has taken another turn from democracy," adding that Musharraf's action "severely undermines Pakistan's democratic order."
An Australian foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday his country remained "deeply concerned at the unconstitutional ousting of Pakistan's democratically-elected government."
And British foreign minister Jack Straw described Musharraf's decision a "setback" for the country's transition to democracy.
Musharraf has said he will abide by the October 2002 deadline set by Pakistan's Supreme Court for the country's return to democracy.
He said taking over as president was required "to provide guarantee to stability and continuity" of his reforms.
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