‘Kashmir Border Could Be Renegotiated’

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30066, 26 February 1963, Page 13

‘Kashmir Border Could Be Renegotiated’

SINGAPORE, Feb. 25. The Pakistani Foreign Minister (Mr Zuifikar AU Bhutto) said today that if the current Indian-Paki* slant talks on the Kashmir issue produced a new authority in Kashmir, this authority could renegotiate a border agreement with China. Speaking to reporters at Singapore Airport, he said the border of that part of Kashmir now controlled by Pakistan was included in the Chinese - Pakistan border agreement which be would s;gn in Peking on March 1. Clause In Agreement However, if Pakistan’s current series of discussions with India resulted in agreement to create a new authority in Kashmir, this authority could renegotiate a border agreement with China, under the terms of a clause in the forthcoming Chinese-Pakistan agreement. Mr Bhutto, accompanied by four other Pakistani' officials, was passing through Singaport on his way to Peking

for the signing of the border agreement. “Because talks on Kashmir are in progress this does not mean that the border between China and Pakistan has ceased to exist,” he said. “It is necessary to have an agreement relating to the border.” Communist Threat

Asked if he believed Communism posed a threat to the security of South-East Asia. Mr Bhutto declined to give a direct answer. “People in the world today usually get the government they want eventually,” he said.

“I must say that the people themselves are the final arbiters of their fate."

Asked bow Pakistan woilld react in the event of war between India and China, he replied: “We only hope that such a situation will never arise.” Mr Bhutto said- “Some progress" has been made in the Indian-Pakistan talks an Kashmir, but. as expected, “certain difficulties remain.”