Indo-Pak tensions will rise if Clinton bypasses Pak — Maleeha

In a wide-ranging interview with the AP, she said her military-ruled nationwas plotting a roadmap to democracy and economic stability and welcomedClinton’s offer to mediate Pakistan’s dispute with India over Kashmir.

"The US has a declared objective of promoting peace and security in SouthAsia," Lodhi said. "He will be defeating that objective if he engages withonly one country. He may unwittingly embolden the Indians."

Clinton has left the door open to a stop in Pakistan. His planned visit toIndia and Bangladesh will be the first presidential visit to the region withone-sixth of the world’s population since 1978.

That year, President Jimmy Carter bypassed Pakistan, and Lodhi saidemboldened the Soviet Union to invade Afghanistan.

"The US should be aware of the consequences of a decision not to visitPakistan," the ambassador said. "That would be unwittingly sending signals.There is a law of unintended consequences."

Clinton said on Wednesday he would base his decision on whether to go toPakistan on what would best serve US interests in trying to stop a nucleararms race.

Asked if he would be willing to mediate between India and Pakistan, Clintonresponded, "Absolutely, I would," and then said, "unless we are asked byboth parties to help, we can’t get involved."

"We welcome that offer," Lodhi said. "A half-century of Indo-Pakistanirelations show they are unable to resolve many of their disputes. If the USand other nations intervened in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, CentralEurope, why doesn’t one of the most dangerous places on earth warrantsimilar intercession?"

To overcome India’s historic aversion, Lodhi said, "It is up to theinternational community to persuade India it is in the interest of worldpeace that India accept there is a problem in Kashmir and it needs to beaddressed."

Force was not the solution, she said.