Q. Now that President Clinton has successfully used his offices to help end the fighting in Kashmir, will India finally accept international mediation on Kashmir?

A. I think that there are many misassumptions in that. What President Clinton has done is to issue a statement with the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the fighting has stopped. It has stopped because firstly Pakistan had entered upon military misadventure that was potched up and the Indian army drew them out of Kargil sector and thereafter when defeat was imminent and the problem was likely to intensify for Pakistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan rushed to Washington.

Q. But the President Clinton has used his good offices, hasn't he? and he has said that he is coming to the region, he is therefore directly interested in what is going to take place.

A. Yes. He has said he will be considering coming to the region. That is up to him.

Q. You will not refuse to talk to him about Kashmir.

A. Of course not. I would not refuse to talk to the President of USA on any issue that he wishes to talk about.

Q. So you have finally accepted international mediation on Kashmir.
A. No. No.

Q. Why not?
A. No. It doesn't necessarily follow. Because mediation is not an answer to Kashmir. Firstly…

Q. To be honest, your own efforts with Pakistan have not been successful over the years. Look at how many tens of thousands of people have died. Is it not time for international mediation. How many people have to die before you have international mediation?

A. No it is not time. It is not a question as to how many people have to die. The international community also has to recognise the reality. What is required here is an understanding, firstly that it is not alone a question of what you, somewhat loosely, call Kashmir. The state is called Jammu and Kashmir. It does not comprise of the valley alone. It has very large areas that are in the Ladakh Province and very large areas that are Jammu.

Q. Large areas that have been killing grounds. Why not explore every effort including international mediation?

A. The main point is for Pakistan to understand that it cannot force resolution of the issue. The main point is for Pakistan to understand and come to terms with its history and its geography.

Q. So the politics is more important than the loss of lives.

A. No of course not.

Q. But that is what you are saying.

A. No, I am saying politics is all about saving lives and you cannot save lives on misassumptions.