CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- U.S. President Bill Clinton's upcoming visit to South Asia is praiseworthy, but critics have raised questions concerning the presidential trip.

If Clinton's purpose is to mediate the bitter rivalry between India and Pakistan, it is doubtful whether both parties are prepared to accept the offer. A mediator in such a case can be likened to a surgeon possessing icy precision, concentration and determination, who is ready to operate on a nearly doomed patient. In this case, however, there are two patients, and the consent of both is needed for the operation. As analysts point out, Clinton is overestimating the power of his personality to get the two sides talking again.

With hindsight, it can be argued the best opportunity for Washington came several months ago when Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took his famous bus trip to Lahore. At that time, signs pointed to a general thaw in Indo-Pakistani bilateral relations, and both sides sorely needed the momentum that U.S. involvement would have provided. Unfortunately, however, Washington failed to grasp the moment, and the chance was lost. Now, in the aftermath of the Kargil conflagration and the leadership change in Pakistan, the situation is much more complicated.