No new proposal from Pak 8212; Govt

The ministry spokesman today denied that the government had received 8220;any new proposals on Kargil from Pakistan,8221; but it is believed that the Cabinet Committee on Security, which met in an unscheduled session on Friday night, is considering new diplomatic measures that will put an end to the crisis well before the September elections.

Prime Minister A B Vajpayee is likely to have a meeting of political leaders on Monday to assess the situation, after which the government will again discuss these proposals. Lanpher would also have concluded his visit to New Delhiby then and Washington8217;s views on deescalating the crisis will likely be another ingredient.

Concerned that the crisis could escalate into a nuclear conflict, the United States is keen that some sort of a solution emerge that would enable both sides to proclaim victoryand at least start talking again.

One of the proposals being tossed around is that the Pakistanis order that their forces retreat from the LoC, in return for time-bound negotiations on the Kashmir dispute.

This is the context also in which Islamabad is pressing for a return visit by External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh.

Further, if the US continues to maintain a high-profile presence on negotiating with both sides, then Islamabad would be able to proclaim that the Kashmir dispute is internationalised and 8220;third-party mediation8221; is taking place.

While New Delhi continues to reject any dialogue with Pakistan before the armed intrusion is vacated, or the notion of outside mediation, it also realises, especially with an election athand, that the intrusion must end quickly.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, which met in an unscheduled session last night, is believed to be considering new diplomatic measures that would put an end to the crisis well before the September elections.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is likely to meet political leaders from all parties on Monday to assess the situation, after which the government will again discuss the Cabinet proposals.

Lanpher would also have concluded his visit to New Delhi by then and Washington8217;s views on deescalating the crisis will likely be another ingredient.

But with Pakistan publicly critical of Clinton8217;s special envoys Zinni and Lanpher, the government now is keenly awaiting the next move by Washington. It wants to see how far the US will go in reprimanding Pakistan for its aggression against India.

Lanpher8217;s report to the establishment tomorrow, will provide crucial inputs not only in New Delhi8217;s assessment of its Kargil operations, but also on the future of theIndo-US relationship.