India refutes Pak remark on tapes being doctored

India refutes Pak remark on tapes being doctored
UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 8: Refuting the assertion of Pakistani military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf that the taped conversations with his Deputy Gen Mohammed Aziz on the Kargil conflict were doctored, India on Tuesday said, ``It is authentic.''

Reacting to Gen Musharraf's comments in an interview to the Doordarshan last night, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesman said, ``It is authentic. The tapes were played in the presence of External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh to the media.''

He said the whole telephonic conversation between Gen Musharraf, who was in Beijing, and Gen Aziz in Islamabad was on the Kargil conflict.

India had released the transcript of the tapes within days of Gen Musharraf's visit to China in May last year.

The Pakistan chief executive said in the interview that the tapes were real and authentic, but were doctored.

Referring to Gen Musharraf's offer of direct dialogue with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on bilateral issues, the spokesman said, ``There is nothing newin the offer.''

India's position remains same on the resumption of dialogue with Pakistan and the Pakistan government must stop cross border terrorism, he added.