Musharraf optimistic over Kashmir
14 killed, 100 wounded in suspected terror attack
CANBERRA, Australia (CNN) -- Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf says the opportunity to resolve the conflict between his nation and India over Kashmir must be seized while he and Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh are still in power.
Speaking to the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, Musharraf said there was no set timetable for peace on the disputed Himalayan region but "it must take place within our tenures".
The Pakistan president's Kashmir comments come on the heels of a fresh suspected terrorist outrage in the region, in which 14 people were killed and 100 people were wounded by an explosion in the town of Pulwama.
Musharraf spoke during an historic three-day visit to Australia during which he is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with the government led by Prime Minister John Howard on joint anti-terrorism efforts.
Aside from an anti-terrorism pact, Musharraf is expected to discuss trade issues with Howard and other cabinet members in Canberra before heading to Sydney, the nation's commercial capital, and then to New Zealand.
Musharraf, the first Pakistani president to have visited Australia, was welcomed to the capital with a 21-gun salute and an honor guard.
Musharraf told Australian media that there was a freedom struggle going on in Kashmir and there was nobody that could exercise total control over everything that happened there.
"To expect total peace and harmony in Kashmir ... that will not be possible. Both sides understand that," he said.
But he said both he and Indian Prime Minister Singh were committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict and that it must happen during their tenures because the leaders that followed them may not have the same view.
Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as their territory and the issue has sparked two of the three wars fought between the neighbors since they broke away from British control in 1947.
In his address Tuesday, Musharraf emphasized Pakistan's commitment to combating terrorism and fostering peace with India.
"We are trying to bring peace and harmony to our relations with India. This is the time for conflict resolution," he said, adding that he was optimistic of success.
"We will give it the best shot," he said.
Earlier, speaking in Malaysia en route to Australia on Monday, Musharraf said Pakistan and India were negotiating to withdraw troops from the Himalayan glacier of Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, where more soldiers have died from altitude, sub-zero temperatures and accidents than enemy action.
India's Singh, who traveled to the remote region north of Kashmir on Sunday, has called for the glacier to be turned into a "peace mountain". (Full story)
More than 45,000 people are estimated to have died in Kashmir since hostilities flared up 1989.
In the latest incident, a powerful blast destroyed more than 25 buildings and sent residents scrambling for safety on Monday.
Police said the devastating explosion was triggered by militants who had loaded a parked car with a massive charge.
Mob clashes with police
It destroyed more than two dozen shops and several vehicles, and damaged an adjacent school.
No group has yet admitted responsibility for the explosion.
A police officer said that nearly 40 kilograms of explosive was used to set off the Monday afternoon blast.
"The estimates are based on extent of damage and the impact analysis," he said on condition of anonymity.
"It seemed hell had broken loose all around the town, resident Abdul Rashid said.
"Parents rushed to schools and the local college to ensure that their wards were safe. Frantic relatives made inquiries from police and hospital authorities about the injured."
An erratic mob clashed with the police, blaming them for mishandling the situation.
Police had to use tear gas to disperse people mob who were tossing stones.
Two people sustained bullet wounds when police opened fire to control the mob. They were hospitalized.
CNN's Grant Holloway in Sydney and Journalist Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar contributed to this story
