Pak. paper retracts report

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 28. The Pakistani English daily, Dawn, has retracted a report in its columns that the President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, during his interaction with editors on June 26, had cited pressure from the U.S. as one of the major factors behind India's decision to invite him for talks.

In a report on Wednesday, the paper said that Gen. Musharraf shared the opinion of some of the editors that the invitation was extended under U.S. pressure and due to operations by militant groups in Kashmir. The report drew a sharp reaction from the Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson in New Delhi who said that India did not buckle under pressure from anyone.

In a report today, the Dawn quoting official sources clarified that Gen. Musharraf had talked about the overall emerging environment to resolve issues, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir, between Pakistan and India. ``However, they said, Gen. Musharraf did not say that the Indians had decided to hold talks with Pakistan on the U.S. pressure,'' it said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : A question of Kashmiri rights, says Musharraf
Next     : Lata denies report