AYUB REJECTS INDIA’S PROPOSAL FOR TALKS

NEW DELHI, MAY 2. President Ayub Khan of Pakistan has virtually turned down India’s proposal for talks between officials of the two countries on the outstanding problems by saying that Kashmir should form part of such talks.

Mr. Ayub Khan said that if the idea of a meeting was only for the representatives of the two countries to meet, listen to each other’s case and then disperse no useful purpose could be served. Such a meeting will only further strain the already tense relations between the two countries, he said.

In a direct reference to Kashmir, Mr. Ayub Khan said that if India was willing to “abide by international agreements on Kashmir and is prepared to discuss the issues on this basis, Pakistan is prepared to hold talks on all problems.”

Justifying Pakistan’s rejection of India’s proposal for reduction of armed forces of the two countries Mr. Ayub Khan accused India of strengthening her defence forces and “even talking of atomic weapons.”

He said, “India wants to intimidate her neighbours and expand her sphere of influence. Kashmir is a vivid example. The question of Jammu and Kashmir is a fundamental issue and the basic cause of bad relations between the two countries. Every day Indian leaders are saying that they are prepared to hold talks with Pakistan on all issues. But this is only to mislead world public opinion. What India wants is that representatives of the two countries should meet, have their say and then disperse,” he added.