Opening of frontier to civilians delayed

? Red tape and security concerns will delay the long-awaited opening of the Kashmir frontier to civilians, officials said Sunday, another setback after nuclear rivals Pakistan and India had agreed to cooperate to allow earthquake victims to cross the border to seek aid.

Instead of people, the neighbors will exchange trucks of relief goods today in a largely symbolic gesture. The civilian exchange could take up to 10 days more to materialize.

Pakistan and India reached an accord a week ago to open five crossing points along the heavily militarized border in divided Kashmir starting today, raising hopes among Kashmiris eager to see relatives and exchange aid.

On Saturday, however, India said only one crossing point would be ready. Then on Sunday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the two sides had failed to exchange lists of people approved for the crossings.