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Steps by India 'small beginning': Musharraf

Terming the Indian move to lift the overflight ban on Pakistani aircraft and withdrawal of its warships from the Arabian Sea as 'a very small beginning', Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said the situation will 'remain grim' till forces continue to be deployed on the Indo-Pak border.

"The situation will remain grim till we disengage on the borders ... so long as the physical presence of the forces continues, the situation will remain grim," Musharraf told reporters after talks with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on Tuesday.

He said he did not expect anything new from US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld's visit to Islamabad.

"They have discussed the situation with India numerous times and so he does not expect anything new to come of the meeting," the Jeddah based Arab News quoted him as saying.

"I will, however, encourage India to return to the negotiating table," Musharraf said.

"It is easing, but as a military man, I have to see both (possibilities) ... intentions (to resort to war) are receding but these can change any time," Musharraf said, adding 'capability wise, the situation is bad'.

Musharraf said Pakistan did not want war, but vowed that Islamabad would not compromise on 'honour and dignity'.

"We will not initiate war, but we have to guard our honour and dignity. We will have to determine the outline between avoidance of war and not compromising on honour and dignity," he said.

PTI

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