Patch-up with India, US tells Pak

In articulating the emerging US position following India8217;s nuclear tests last week, the President has defined more sharply than ever before the American acknowledgement of what one columnist called 8220;India8217;s shout to be heard.8221;

After glowing praise on India8217;s ethos and potential in Potsdam, Germany, last week, Clinton went to London where he said he understood India8217;s security concerns in undertaking nuclear tests.

Clinton8217;s remarks also suggest that Washington is willing to provide Pakistan a nuclear umbrella 8212; much like it hasdone for Japan against China and Russia 8212; if Islamabad is willing to forgo the nuclear option and sort out peacefully its problems with India.

In fact, Clinton also indicated that such a deal could generate momentum for the two countries to bilaterally resolve the festering Kashmir dispute which could lead the region to an economic manna.

8220;If India and Pakistan would liberate themselves from this Kashmir argument, it is quite conceivable that for the next 50 years they could have the highest growth rates acirc;euro;ldquo; and not just economic success but the richest and most textured quality of life,8221; he said.

But US officials cautioned that despite the President8217;s conciliatory remarks and the restraining hand on Pakistan, Washington8217;s condemnation of Indian tests remained. Also, notwithstanding his generous praise for India even at the height of the crisis, it was Clinton who decided to impose sanctions against New Delhi even though officials of the National Security Council argued for a 30-day waiver thePresident could have given, former Clinton aide George Stephenopoulous said.

The President8217;s remarks on Kashmir rekindled debate on the administration8217;s line on the issue, which has in recent times been viewed with suspicion by Islamabad. US officials, including Assistant Secretary for South Asia in the recent past, Robin Raphel, were suggesting last year that the two sides should not keep harping on history, but look at more 8220;creative solutions.8221; Analysts suggested that this was a hint to Pakistan to accept the line of control as the border.

Clinton too told Frost in the context of the possible resolution of the Kashmir issue and the economic benefits thereof: 8220;I think they should be imagining a different future for themselves 8212; both of them.8221;

The President also acknowledged in the interview that the US and the world had failed to appreciate India and its 8220;incredible achievement8221; of maintaining 50 years of democracy under the most adverse circumstances.

Meanwhile, the administration here isalso divided over the President8217;s proposed visit in November to the region. One section is in favour of calling off the visit altogether to both India and Pakistan. Another small section would like Clinton to go to Pakistan and Bangladesh and not India, as a punishment for India8217;s aggravating tests.

Sharif under pressure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said today that pressure is increasing on him from 8217;citizens and political parties to go nuclear.

WASHINGTON: Pakistan may decide not to conduct nuclear tests if it gets 8220;defence assurances8221; from China, the New York Times reported today.

CARTAGENA: At the non-aligned NAM foreign ministers8217; meet here today, a large number of member-states have expressed satisfaction over the reasons given by New Delhi for its nuclear tests.