Musharraf says Kashmir solution top priority with India

Musharraf declared himself president in June

By staff and wire reports

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says improved ties between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan will not be possible until the two sides resolve their differences over Kashmir.

Emboldened by an executive order giving the president boundless powers through a newly devised National Security Council, Musharraf said he was determined not to let anything distract from efforts to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

The Himalayan region is considered one of the world's most dangerous flashpoints, and has been the focus of two wars between the South Asian rivals.

VIDEO Musharraf moves to increase his hold on the country's government Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   PROFILE General Pervez Musharraf     MESSAGE BOARD India and Pakistan

"Never have Pakistan and India sat down toward resolving the Kashmir dispute," Musharraf said in an interview with The Associated Press and Associated Press Television News.

The Pakistani leader is due to meet Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during a visit to New Delhi on July 14-16.

"We have been talking about trade, commercial ties, economic relations and cultural relations (and) of improving communications between the two countries. That is putting the cart before the horse and ignoring Kashmir. This cannot be done," Musharraf said.

More executive powers

The creation of the Security Council places Musharraf as its chairman and includes the heads of all three services -- the navy, army and air force -- and the governors of the nation's four provinces.

In June, Musharraf appointed himself president, a role that traditionally is one of a figurehead while the actual administrative powers lie with the prime minister.

The military leader who seized power in a 1999 bloodless coup said he hoped Indian leaders shared his sincerity about reaching an accord over Kashmir, which each country claims as its own.

Two years ago, intense fighting raged for 11 weeks when intruders from Pakistan crossed a ceasefire line into the Indian portion of Kashmir.

After Pakistan was carved out of a divided India in 1947 following the end of British rule, the fate of the princely state of Kashmir was left undecided by the old colonial rulers.

Disputed Kashmir

In their first war soon after, India took control of two-thirds of the lush green Himalayan region, and Pakistan the rest. They fought again over the territory in 1965.

Pakistan supports an uprising that began in 1989 in Kashmir, the only Muslim-majority state in Hindu-dominated India.

New Delhi accuses Pakistan of sponsoring Islamic militants who launch cross-border raids from secret camps on the border.

Musharraf still hopes to return Pakistan to democracy next year, but says he will not run in any elections

Pakistan denies the charge, saying the struggle is indigenous, and in turn accuses Indian troops in Kashmir of widespread human rights violations.

India says 30,000 people have died in fighting, but independent human rights groups say double that number have been killed. Pakistan claims India has 600,000 troops in Kashmir.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has also said he wants to address Kashmir in the talks. Last month, he said he had invited Musharraf for talks in hopes of creating a "proper climate" for resolution of the Kashmir row.

Conciliatory gestures

In a gesture aimed at improving ties, Vajpayee promised to offer scholarships to 20 students from Pakistan in Indian technical institutions, according to a statement from the Indian foreign ministry on Wednesday.

Also, Pakistan freed Indian cyclist serving a three-year sentence for entering Pakistan without a visa, police officials said. Vikas Singh had been attempting a trip around the world when he was caught illegally inside Pakistan.

Despite apparently taking on more executive powers, Musharraf was unequivocal about returning the country to democracy next year.

"There is no doubt in my mind ... that we have to have elections and have an elected government in place by October 2002," he told AP.

Musharraf insisted he would not be a candidate. "I am not at all a politician. I don't think I'm cut out for politics," he said. "I am certainly not going to stand for election."

In his new role as head of the National Security Council, Musharraf can personally appoint members and he reserves the right to sack anyone at his pleasure, the government-controlled news agency APP said.

The Security Council has a wide range of authority and will give advice to the president on issues relating to national security, sovereignty, Islamic ideology, and the integrity and solidarity of the country.

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.