DATE=8/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236426
TITLE=INDIA / KILLINGS (L-O)
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  INDIAN POLICE SAY 31 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED, AND SIX 
OTHERS INJURED BY SUSPECTED KASHMIRI MUSLIM SEPARATISTS IN THE 
NORTHERN STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH.  FROM OUR NEW DELHI BUREAU, 
ANJANA PASRICHA REPORTS THE KILLINGS FOLLOWED ESCALATING TENSION 
IN THE DISPUTED KASHMIR REGION, AND AN OFFER BY INDIAN PRIME 
MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE TO RESUME PEACE TALKS WITH 
PAKISTAN.

TEXT:  POLICE SAY THE VICTIMS WERE GUNNED DOWN EARLY MONDAY IN 
SEPARATE INCIDENTS IN TWO VILLAGES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH'S CHAMBA 
DISTRICT.  THE VICTIMS WERE MOSTLY LABORERS EMPLOYED TO CONSTRUCT
ROADS IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA THAT BORDERS JAMMU AND KASHMIR 
STATE.  POLICE SAY SUSPECTED KASHMIRI SEPARATISTS CROSSED INTO 
HIMACHAL PRADESH STATE TO CARRY OUT THE ATTACK. 

THE ATTACK COMES AFTER AN ESCALATION IN CROSS-BORDER FIRING 
BETWEEN THE INDIAN AND PAKISTANI ARMIES ALONG THE DISPUTED 
KASHMIR BORDER. SCORES OF PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN KILLED 
IN THE RECENT EXCHANGE.

IN A STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT, PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE
EXPRESSED HIS GOVERNMENT'S WILLINGNESS TO RESUME PEACE TALKS WITH
PAKISTAN.  THE STATEMENT CAME A DAY AFTER MR. SHARIF ACCUSED 
INDIA OF BRINGING THE REGION TO THE BRINK OF WAR WITH ARTILLERY 
FIRE. 

MR. VAJPAYEE CALLED ON ISLAMABAD TO ADDRESS ITS DIFFERENCES WITH 
NEW DELHI IN A "RATIONAL AND REALISTIC MANNER".

                  /// INSERT VAJPAYEE ACT /// 

         INDIA HAS CONSISTENTLY UNDERLINED ITS COMMITMENT TO A 
         DIRECT, COMPOSITE DIALOGUE WITH PAKISTAN.  SUCH A 
         COMPREHENSIVE AND SUSTAINED PROCESS WILL CONTRIBUTE 
         TRUST AND CONFIDENCE, PROMOTE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL 
         COOPERATION AND HELP ADDRESS BILATERAL ISSUES.  THE 
         DIALOGUE MUST ADDRESS THE TOTALITY OF THE RELATIONSHIP, 
         AND NOT BE PURSUED IN A NARROW, SEGMENTED FASHION.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. VAJPAYEE SAYS HE ASKED MR. SHARIF, DURING THEIR MEETING LAST 
WEEK IN COLOMBO, TO STOP SUPPORT TO THE MUSLIM REBELLION IN 
KASHMIR.  INDIA ACCUSES PAKSITAN OF ARMING AND TRAINING KASHMIRI 
MILITANT GROUPS.  ISLAMABAD DENIES THE CHARGE. 

EFFORTS BY INDIA AND PAKISTAN TO RESUME A DIALOGUE DEADLOCKED 
RECENTLY AFTER DIPLOMATS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES FAILED TO AGREE ON 
THE AGENDA OF THE TALKS. 

KASHMIR IS A DISPUTED TERRITORY DIVIDED BETWEEN INDIA AND 
PAKSITAN.  THE NATIONS HAVE FOUGHT TWO WARS FOR CONTROL OF THE 
REGION.   (SIGNED)

NEB/RAE

03-Aug-98 8:22 AM EDT (1222 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.