Q& A: Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan

How is that? Are they sitting in a jet? Getting ready to take off? . . . One has to see from situation to situation. But it is very clear: There is a domestic sensitivity, which is very important.

You recently opened a dialogue with Israel, which was not popular among radical groups in Pakistan. Where is the relationship going and why is it good for Pakistan?

If it is a few radicals, I don't care. . . . As far as the strategic issue of the Palestinian cause, we have not changed course. We are for the creation of a Palestinian homeland although we accept Israel's reality as a state. So this stand is no change. I feel we can contribute more strongly toward this cause if we are talking to Israel, so this is why we did it.

What brought you to make this decision?

I initially said if there is some development indicating progress toward resolution of the Palestinian dispute, we might be able to consider our diplomatic stance toward Israel. And I think this pullout from Gaza was a major decision by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. We thought this needs to be encouraged and it is the right direction to move, and we thought we should take a step.

What is your expectation for Iraq? Are the three groups willing to share power or will the country head toward civil war?

They must share power. We are for the integrity of Iraq and for representation and harmony among the three communities. How it is to be done is an issue.

Has the U.S destabilized the region by entering Iraq?

They have had elections and that is good. The constitution is written. It is correct to be raising an Iraqi force. They need to strengthen it so the Iraqis gradually take over and the foreign troops -- U.S. and British -- withdraw, ultimately leaving the area.

Reportedly, Pakistan's relations with India are deteriorating. How do you assess the situation?

Relations with India have never been as good as they are today. We have no tension, and there is no firing on the line of control. . . . My disappointment is that we are not going forward on the dispute resolution -- especially on Kashmir.

You made a proposal about self-governance for Kashmir.