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Pakistan PM Invites Opposition Parties to Discuss Relations with India - 2003-05-04


Pakistan's prime minister has invited opposition parties to discuss a thaw in relations with arch-rival India.

Zafarullah Khan Jamali is reported to have extended the invitation to all parties represented in Pakistan's Parliament for a meeting Monday expected to focus on a unified stand for talks with India.

The announcement came just two days after the Pakistani prime minister invited his Indian counterpart, Atal Behari Vajpayee for a high-level dialogue on differences between the two countries.

Mr. Vajpayee responded by urging "careful preparation" for such talks. The Indian leader also reiterated his call for an end to what he described as "cross-border terrorism" by Pakistan.

The peace initiatives between the two nuclear-capable arch-rivals began two weeks ago, when Mr. Vajpayee offered a "hand of friendship" to Pakistan and Mr. Jamili initiated a telephone call to the Indian prime minister.

Mr. Vajpayee also said he will send an ambassador to Pakistan and restore air links. Pakistan is expected to make a similar announcement soon.

The United States has welcomed the latest moves to ease tensions and U-S Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage is due in the region in the next several days.

The two countries have long-standing disputes that have drawn them into three wars since independence more than a half-century ago. Two of the armed conflicts have been over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

The two countries massed troops along their border early last year, after Islamic militants staged a deadly attack on the Indian Parliament. India blamed Pakistan for the attack. Pakistan denied involvement. The situation eased only after intense diplomatic efforts by Britain and the United States.

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