Pubdate: Sat, 12 Jun 2004 Source: Navhind Times, The (India) Copyright: 2004sNavhind Papers & Publications Ltd Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3430 Website: http://www.navhindtimes.com/ INDIA, PAK TO DISCUSS STEPS TO PREVENT DRUG TRAFFICKING PTI Islamabad June 12: India and Pakistan would hold a series of talks on wide range of issues next week, beginning with the dialogue between top officials of the two countries to prevent drug trafficking and smuggling. A high-level Indian delegation headed by the Director-General of the Narcotic Control Bureau, Mr M K Singh would arrive in Pakistan on June 14 to attend the meeting of the committee on drug trafficking and smuggling to be held here on June 15 and 16, the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Mr Masood Khan told a media briefing today. The committee meeting will discuss steps to prevent smuggling of drugs and narcotics between the two countries. After that a Pakistani delegation, headed by additional secretary of the PFO, Mr Usman Haider would go to New Delhi to attend talks on nuclear confidence building measures to be held there from June 19 and 20. Mr Khan said another Pakistani delegation would go to New Delhi towards the next weekend to attend the official-level talks to be held there on June 21 and 22 to resolve differences over the construction of power project by India on the river Chenab at Baglihar in Jammu and Kashmir. The talks will be held at the level of secretaries of water and power to discuss Pakistan's objections over the projects. The Indus basin water commissioners of both the countries would also be part of the delegation. After that the two countries would formally resume the composite dialogue process at the level of foreign secretaries to discuss peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and CBMs. The foreign secretaries talks would be held in New Delhi on June 27 and 28. Mr Khan said the expert-level talks on nuclear CBM would cover issues relating to strategic stability, confidence building, crisis management, nuclear risk reduction and responsible nuclear stewardship. "We are not starting form the scratch. We have MoU signed in 1999 which covered many elements like discussions on security concepts and nuclear doctrines and early warning of missile tests," he said. On recent references by the President, General Pervez Musharraf about Pakistan's willingness to discuss no use of force with India, Mr Khan said Islamabad in the past has proposed no war pact with New Delhi. "But so far there are no takers for it. This proposal has been on the table. India on the hand proposes no first use," he said adding a no war pact was contingent on resolution of all disputes between the two countries. "It can not happen before that. You have to be realist," he said. Asked about reported remarks by Indian External Affairs Minister Mr Natwar Singh in an interview to BBC, Mr Khan said, "Let there be no hard talk and cross between India and Pakistan before they hold their talks. We are entering into a crucial stage. There has to be an opening of the composite dialogue process. Before that it begins, it is advisable not to give any statement." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D