AFTER two months of fresh brutality on the Kashmir front, something inexcusably rare is being added to its cruel politics: a dash of common sense. This brings hope that a restored armistice between India and Pakistan can lead to serious talks about finally resolving 52 years of wasteful war.
It is a faint hope at best; there is little in the violent history of the Kashmiri conflict which arouses confidence in either side's ability to approach the issue with clear views about long-term national interests and strategies. All too often, policies have been set by those who choose fanaticism, cruelty and conflict over peaceful resolution.
The latest round of killing stems from Pakistan's allowing self-described 'freedom fighters' to enter Indian-held territory. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif claims his Government supplies only moral and diplomatic support - not guns or military training - though few other world leaders believe him. Certainly not President Clinton, who brought Mr Sharif to Washington and told him to call home the fighters he denied having sent in the first place.
Now that call has been made. Mr Sharif has asked survivors of an Indian counterattack to return because Mr Clinton has promised to take a 'personal interest' in restarting serious Kashmiri peace negotiations. The militants seem reluctantly willing and may give their official approval tomorrow.
Though neither nation can take pride in its handling of the Kashmir problem, Pakistan's support of this latest incursion seems especially senseless. In return for temporary control of some remote hillsides and many dead Indian soldiers, Pakistan risked waging and losing yet another war with India, this one with nuclear possibilities. It had almost no chance of coercing India into negotiations, the stated goal.
In fact, the fighting mainly diverts attention from the endemic corruption and incompetence which plague both governments, and retards economic development - in Pakistan even more than India.
