Using the words "historic" for the Saarc summit, and "acts of statesmanship" for declaration by Pakistan and India to enter into composite dialogue, the United States on Tuesday hoped the endeavour would lead to positive results though it is always hard to predict results on a particular issue given the difficulty of these questions.
"At the same time, we have seen the leaders themselves put a lot of effort into getting to this point. We have seen them take concrete and practical steps. We have seen them create a momentum."
State Department Spokesman, Richard Boucher said this in response to a question at the daily news briefing. He was asked that similar previous steps had not worked. And, that he is aware of anything that would lead him to be more optimistic that there would be actual results from this dialogue.
"We have seen what we would call "acts of statesmanship." And we have also seen supportive roles that we can play, that other countries can play in trying to help them continue to move forward."
"So, we think they have shown, already, a fair amount of determination to move forward. We think that it will likely continue," Boucher said of the firm resolve expressed by the leaders of Pakistan and India to resume dialogue process in the month of February to sort out differences and resolve their outstanding disputes, including Kashmir issue.
Asked to give his assessment "of an apparent rapprochement" between India and Pakistan calling for "new talks next month."
Boucher referred to the remarks in this regard made earlier by Secretary of State Colin Powell.
"The Secretary spoke to this to some extent already, outside. And I think it's important to remember what he said, that it is a historic development and one that, I think, has been in the works for some time."
"It's been taken through a series of acts of statesmanship, decisions made by India and Pakistan. We have been very supportive of that process and we look forward to continuing to work with them and help them as they go forward into a dialogue."
The State Department Spokesman said: "It's a goal that we have long supported, long sought."
"We think it's important for regional stability. It's important for the whole world. I would add to that there are also ramifications for the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation."
Boucher congratulated the conference for having held a "very successful summit in Islamabad."
"They agreed to a framework to develop South Asia Free Trade Association, adopted a plan of action on increasing property alleviation and signed an additional protocol on combating terrorism."
"So they're, I think, the dialogue, discussions between India and Pakistan also open up opportunities, whether it be in the trade area or the fighting of terrorism for the region as a whole to co-operate even more closely."
Asked does he have "any reason to believe" that these upcoming talks "will be any more successful that previous rounds that have failed in the past?" Boucher said: "We certainly have seen the parties announce steps, take steps and really move forward in concrete ways just to get to this point of announcing a dialogue."
"We've been very supportive of that process and we continue to support it so that the dialogue on all the issues-can produce as many results as possible."
Responding to a question on a news report published in the New York Times on Monday alleging Pakistan having assisted Libya in nuclear technology, the State Department Spokesman said the United States appreciated the commitments made by the Government of Pakistan, President Musharraf specifically; that Pakistan will not be involved in trade involving weapons of mass destruction.
He said: "President Musharraf made that commitment a little more than a year ago now. And we also note that Pakistan has begun investigating and debriefing of individuals who may have valuable information on some of the activities that are being reported and discussed."
"We think that, again, demonstrates that President Musharraf attaches a high priority to meeting his commitment. So we'll continue to discuss this, follow it and work with the Pakistani government," he added, outlining the position of the State Department in the matter.
In this regard, Boucher said Secretary Colin Powell has already expressed outside, and which he has expressed many times before.
The spokesman was told of a very long story in New York Times about Pakistan's alleged violation of non-proliferation or so called getting involved with different other countries and helping them.
And the spate of such stories in both the electronic and print media. And that had there been any formal contacts on this issue or expression of concern as to what is the position of the State Department, or how serious is the matter.
"I'm not in a position to speculate at this point," was his response pressed to respond in a follow up query.
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