Pakistan Seeks Russian Mediating Help Over Kashmir
WASHINGTON, June 1 (IslamOnline) - Pakistan's Military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf is seeking Russia's help to act as a mediator in his country's dialogue with India in order to solve the Kashmir problem, he said in an interview published in the Russian daily Izvestia on Thursday.
The appeal to Russia to mediate dialogue is seen as a significant departure from Pakistan's earlier position of asking for U.S. help.
At the same time, Musharraf expressed his displeasure over Moscow's "one-sided backing" of India.
He also regretted Moscow's refusal to sell sophisticated weapons to Pakistan. "We are very much interested in Sukhoi-30 fighter planes. We have money and would like to buy them.
"Unfortunately, we do not know what is required for a change in Russia's stand of one-sided backing of India and develop relations with the people of Pakistan also," he said.
Musharraf said that Pakistan is keen to improve its relations with Russia and hopes to develop close defense and trade ties.
When asked in the interview if Pakistan would carry out any new nuclear tests, Musharraf said that his country would do all it can to keep abreast with the Indian nuclear program.
"In the first place, it depends on India's stand... India's published doctrine shows that it has no desire to curb its nuclear ambitions. Therefore, we also have to take care of our own security," he said.
"But I would also be happy if the number of nuclear warheads in South Asia is substantially reduced," he added.
When asked about Osama bin Laden, he said that he has no proof that bin Laden is involved in acts attributed to him by the U.S.
Musharraf also urged Russia to recognize the Taliban as a means of restoring stability in the war-torn country.
