Pakistan asked to reciprocate India's gesture

Pakistan asked to reciprocate India's gesture
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

BANGALORE, NOV 30: Iraq today asked Pakistan to reciprocate India's gesture on unilateral ceasefire, saying resolution of problems between the countries needed to be achieved through peaceful means.

"Naturally, we call for resolution of problems by peaceful means, especially between neighbouring countries and friendly countries", Iraq's Vice-President, Taha Yassin Ramadhan said here when asked if Pakistan should reciprocate the gesture.

Ramadhan was speaking to reporters at Bangalore Airport on his arrival from New Delhi on a day-long visit here. "We urge for problems to be solved by peaceful means", he said.

Union Home Minister L K Advani had said the unilateral Indian ceasefire was not only directed at the Kashmiri militants, but also Islamabad.

Ramadhan, who is the Number Two in the political hierarchy in Iraq and the first top-level dignitary from Baghdad to visit India in the last 10 years, said Iraq wanted India to play an active and leading role in efforts towards lifting of UN sanctions against his country.

"Certainly", he replied when asked if India should play an active and leading role in this regard.

Asked if there was any possibility of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein visiting India, Ramadhan quipped: "Insha Allah" (God willing).

He said he had come to Bangalore to see advances made in the field of science and technology and industry. "We aspire to diversify our cooperation with India as much as possible".

During his day-long stay here before emplaning to the Jordanian capital of Amman tonight, Ramadhan is scheduled to visit the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, International Tech Park Bangalore, Indian Institute of Information Technology, and WIPRO.