Help stop J&K violence, U.S. tells Pakistan

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JAN. 25. The Bush administration has welcomed the extension of the ceasefire in Kashmir by the Indian Government and has called on Pakistan to use its influence with the militant groups ``very soon'' to halt the violence.

At the State Department, the spokesman was asked about the extension of the ceasefire, whether the peace process was moving forward or stagnating and about India's insistence on deciding which of the Kashmiri leaders should go to Pakistan for talks.

On the extension of the ceasefire, the spokesman Mr. Richard Boucher, said, ``Certainly we think it's a good thing. We welcome the announcement by the Indian Government. This followed on earlier steps, positive steps that we have seen from both India and Pakistan. We believe the peace process would be greatly enhanced if the Kashmiri militant groups responded positively to India's announcement by taking steps to halt the violence. We would encourage all the parties to take initiatives to reduce violence and foster peace to end the conflict in Kashmir''.

The spokesman said that he did not have any ideas on what the composition of the delegation to the talks should be. ``... our general view has been that all the groups, that everybody involved should halt the violence and be involved in the process,that the Government of Pakistan as well should use its influence with the militant groups very soon to halt the violence'', Mr.Boucher said.

EU hails decision

PTI reports from New Delhi:

The European Union (EU) today welcomed the extension of ceasefire by India and hoped there would be an ``encouraging response'' from Pakistan to pave way for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue.

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