DGMOs, security advisors to meet 'very soon': Sartaj Aziz

Aziz says agreement on DGMOs of both sides finalising date and venue of meeting in their next hot line call.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister’s advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in an interview with BBC Urdu on Thursday said that meetings between Director General Military Operations (DGMOs) and security advisors from both sides will take place soon to resolve border tensions.  

Aziz, who held meetings with the Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and premier Manmohan Singh, on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM).

Talking why a meeting between DGMOs on both sides was yet to happen, six weeks after the Pakistani premier had suggested it to his Indian counterpart in New York, Aziz said that the commanders regularly talk on the hot line they might have felt that it is unnecessary to meet.

"Because they talk every week, and talk in quite detail on the phone, they may have thought that there is no need to meet."

Aziz though hinted that there was perhaps an element of mistrust between the sides.

"When we ask our people, they tell us that India has not given a date, while Indians say Pakistan has not given a date."

However, Aziz was hopeful that officials from the two sides will meet soon.

"Now we have agreed that next Tuesday, when they speak, they will decide on a date and place to meet, and we hope they will meet soon."

Pressed on a date, Aziz said that after the two DGMOs talk on Tuesday, a meeting can be expected in the next two to three weeks.

"The most important point in the New York meeting between the two prime ministers and these meetings [in New Delhi] was the faithful  implementation of our 2003 agreement on the Line of Control."

He refuted speculations surrounding his meeting with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leadership, saying this was nothing new and Pakistani officials when they visit India do meet with the Kashmiri leadership.

Aziz insisted that his meeting with the APHC leadership would not affect the dialogue process between Pakistan and India.

He added that the government of Pakistan wants to improve its relations with India, and that even public opinion in Pakistan is in favour of better ties with its Eastern neighbour. "In India, Manmohan sigh said this more than once that both countries cannot fully realise their development and economic potential till peace is established."

"It is important for both sides that despite the obstacles, we persevere with our commitment."

Facts on LoC violations not clear

Aziz said that facts around the cross border firing incidents were not clear.

"The facts on who starts the firing and what happens, are not clear. One says one thing and the other another thing and we cannot establish what the truth is."

For this purpose, Aziz said, Pakistan had suggested that an independent mechanism be set up. "We also suggested that the UN observer group, India does not have to accept this, but what is wrong in obtaining an incident report."

"There are people on both sides who do not want relations to improve, how difficult is it for them to create an incident?"

Mumbai attack trial

Aziz informed that the trial of the Mumbai attack suspect is in its final stage.

He claimed Pakistani judicial commission that had visited India in September, collected the new evidence relating to the incident, and a new prosecutor and judge has also been appointed in Pakistan.

Aziz said he is hopeful that verdict of the Mumbai attack would be out soon.