India, Pakistan to open Line of Control to speed quake relief

New Delhi (dpa) - Pakistan's offer to open a de-facto border crossing with India to allow people from either side to help in quake-relief could prove to be a "path-breaking'' confidence building measure in the South Asian neighbours' quest for peace, Indian media reports said Wednesday.

New Delhi welcomed the offer made by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to open the Line of Control (LoC) dividing the Kashmir region, saying it was consistent with India's advocacy of greater movement across the LoC for relief and closer people-to-people contacts.

India's foreign office spokesman, Navtej Sarna, said New Delhi was waiting for an official word on "practical details of implementing this intention''.

"The unprecedented proposal, though it bears the stamp of brinkmanship, could prove a path-breaking, confidence-building measure if it comes through'', the Telegraph newspaper noted.

Survivors have charged both governments with putting politics before humanitarian help. The paper said the two neighbours had agreed to open the LoC to accelerate the relief measures, capping a race of positive gestures triggered by the earthquake.

In its report, the Times of India observed that the impromptu proposal made by Musharraf has taken the "ever-present publicity battle with India up another notch''. dpa sk jh