``We want to live in peace with India on the basis of a just settlement of all disputes. But since we can't reach such a settlement, we're open to all suggestions in the UN charter...we want to settle disputes, period. But since we can't do it one to one, let's do it with the help of somebody else. But for god's sake, let's do it,'' Pakistani officials said here today.

Accusing New Delhi of ``inflexibility and rigidity'', which they said was the principal cause for lack of progress, the Pakistani officials repeated the old `Kashmir first' refrain. ``Core issues, core disputes are to be resolved first, others will follow,'' they said.

The double-speak was not far behind. ``The Shimla agreement remains valid and we honour it,''they said, adding thatIslamabad only wanted to open a new chapter in relations, turn a new leaf and see progress. ``But how long should we wait for that to happen,'' the officials asked.

In contrast, Indian officials briefing the media said they had approached the dialogue with a ``serious, constructive, substantive and positive approach,'' that New Delhi had ``every intention of making progress'' and that this approach would continue.

Asked about India's assessment of the process so far, they said ``this has to be viewed as the beginning of an important process.''

The two countries will now meet in February in Delhi, this time to discuss `peace and security and confidence-building measures' as well as Kashmir. Dates for the next round of the six-issue dialogue, to be held in Islamabad, were not announced today.

Today's discussion on the `Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in various fields' covered a large variety of topics, including the enlargement of the visa regime, allowing more religious places and shrines to be openedfor pilgrims in Pakistan, an exchange of collections from the museums of both sides, release of fishermen and allowing group tourism.

While the Pakistani side categorically denied the possibility of any group tourism between the two sides, they said their New Delhi mission was issuing upwards of 500 visas everyday. New Delhi, on the other hand, said it had increased the number of city-visits for Pakistani visitors from 8 to 12, only group tourists (not less than 10) would be allowed in ``because of security reasons'', that the Islamabad mission was issuing about 300-350 visas everyday.