The U. S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Ms. Robin L. Raphel asserted that the Kashmir dispute has been a very complicated issue between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947. She said both states claimed it to be a part of their territory and they had struggled for it in various ways over the years.

"The problem in Kashmir is multi-faceted," she said, adding that the US was willing to play a helpful role provided both sides agreed. She noted that India does not welcome "active international or US" involvement. However, we consider ourselves friends of both countries and if there is something we can do, the US is ready.

Regarding India's parliamentary elections in the occupied territory, she said, our view on the Kashmir issue is very well known in both Islamabad and New Delhi, and we think it is very important that India and Pakistan sit together and talk about the future of Kashmir according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

She added that we have an American hostage in the Indian-occupied Kashmir and three Europeans and all these things point to the urgent need for India and Pakistan to resolve this issue quickly.

Raphel's visit to Islamabad on April 17th, was a follow-up of Ambassador Graham and Senator Brown's discussions on issue of regional security, nuclear non-proliferation and bilateral cooperation with the government of Pakistan.

The Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs urged both India and Pakistan to "exercise restraint" in missile development and to reduce overall defence spending to turn their attention to the economic and social side.