Pakistan army chief calls for talks with India over disputed Himalayan glacier

(18 Apr 2012) 1. Wide of Pakistan Air Force plane stationary on tarmac
2. Pakistan Army Chief, Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, talking to media
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan Army Chief:
"What I am saying is that this conflict should resolved. But how is it resolved? The two countries have to talk about it. There have have been numerous rounds of talks on this issue."
4. Wide of Kayani talking to army officers
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan Army Chief:
"Issues we must be resolved. Like I said in Urdu also, peaceful co-existence between the two neighbours is very important, so everybody can concentrate on the well-being of the people. That''s important."
6. Kayani talking to media
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan Army Chief:
"Would we like to spend less on defence? Definitely. That is... any country should do the same. More focus should be on welfare the people. That is, of course, there''s no disagreement on this."
8. Kayani leaving
STORYLINE
Pakistan called for negotiations with India over a disputed Himalayan glacier on Wednesday, an apparent softening in attitude towards a neighbour with which it has fought three wars since 1947.
Pakistan''s army chief, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, said that "peaceful coexistence" with India was important so that both countries could "concentrate on the well-being of the people."
He made the comments in a rare question and answer session with the media after visiting the site of an avalanche near the Siachen glacier which last week buried 140 people, including 129 Pakistani soldiers.
The two nuclear-armed countries'' dispute is over the Kashmir region, which they both claim in its entirety.
In 1984, India occupied the heights of the uninhabited Siachen Glacier to the north of Kashmir.
Pakistan sent in troops, and both armies have been in deadlock ever since.
Kayani noted India began the conflict, but said it "should be resolved" and suggested dialogue between the two nations.

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