DATE=8/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236459
TITLE=U-S / KASHMIR (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES IS OFFERING TO MEDIATE TALKS BETWEEN 
INDIA AND PAKISTAN ON THE DISPUTED REGION OF KASHMIR -- AMID 
RENEWED MILITARY CLASHES IN THE TERRITORY.  V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE 
REPORTS. 

TEXT:  WHEN ASKED IF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED THAT
THE TWO RECENTLY-DECLARED NUCLEAR POWERS ARE SHELLING EACH OTHER 
IN KASHMIR, SPOKESMAN P-J CROWLEY SOUGHT TO ACCENTUATE THE 
POSITIVE --  SAYING THE UNITED STATES IS MORE ENCOURAGED THAT THE
TWO SIDES ARE TALKING TO EACH OTHER.

                    /// CROWLEY ACTUALITY ///

         THE NUCLEAR TESTS THAT BOTH COUNTRIES MADE EARLIER THIS 
         YEAR RAISES THE STAKES IN TERMS OF KASHMIR BEING A 
         FLASHPOINT, WHICH IS WHY, OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WE 
         HAVE CONTINUED TO PRESS THE INDIANS AND PAKISTANIS TO 
         MEET, TO TALK, AND THROUGH THAT DIALOGUE TO TRY TO 
         RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES.

         // END ACT ///                                

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE AND PAKISTANI PRIME 
MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF OPENED TALKS LAST WEEK IN COLOMBO, SRI 
LANKA.   BUT THE TALKS SOON BECAME DEADLOCKED OVER THE ISSUE OF 
KASHMIR. 

SPOKESMAN CROWLEY EXPRESSED HOPE THE DISCUSSIONS WOULD RESUME.  
HE  SAID THE UNITED STATES HAS OFFERED TO MEDIATE THE DISPUTE IN 
THE PAST, AND WOULD DO SO AGAIN.                           

ISLAMABAD HAS SAID IT WOULD SUPPORT OUTSIDE MEDIATION, BUT NEW 
DELHI HAS RULED IT OUT.                      

MR. CLINTON PLANS TO VISIT INDIA AND PAKISTAN LATER THIS YEAR -- 
ALTHOUGH OFFICIALS ARE REVIEWING THOSE PLANS IN THE WAKE OF THE 
NUCLEAR TESTS CONDUCTED BY THE TWO SOUTH ASIAN RIVALS IN MAY. 
(SIGNED) 

NEB/DAT/WDC/KBK

03-Aug-98 5:56 PM EDT (2156 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.