M A I N   N E W S

Pervez writes to APHC
India expresses reservations
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 5
India today reiterated its position on a possible meeting between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Hurriyat leaders saying “it is a non-issue”.

In response to numerous questions on General Musharraf’s letter to Hurriyat Chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat from newspersons, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Nirupama Rao said: “We have conveyed our position on the issue to Pakistan and it is a complete non-issue”. “Our position on this issue is amply clear and it needs no further elaboration and Islamabad is aware of our position”.

“We have expressed our reservations on this matter,” she said.

The Pakistan President in his letter to the Hurriyat Chairman has said, “I look forward to an opportunity to meet you and other leaders of the APHC during my visit to India”.

“I have asked Pak High Commissioner to make necessary arrangements in this regard”, General Musharraf said in his letter assuring that “Pakistan will continue to extend its full normal political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle”.

General Musharraf’s letter to Mr Bhat, which was released to the media today by the Hurriyat, has caused considerable consternation in diplomatic circles as its contents are contrary to the last telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and General Musharraf in which the two leaders had decided to end the rhetoric but Islamabad is going ahead on its pre-determined course.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson described General Musharraf’s proposal for a “No-war-pact” with India as “known position”.

Mrs Rao said India was committed to the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration that seek to resolve all issues through negotiations.

“I would only draw reference to the basic spirit of the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration in which both countries resolved to settle differences through bilateral negotiations and peaceful means”, the spokesperson said.

She said the forthcoming summit would “pick up the threads from Simla and Lahore” to put in place a stable structure for a long-term relationship.

This had been made clear in Mr Vajpayee’s invitation letter to the Pakistan President, Mrs Rao said adding “We are working very sincerely towards making the summit a success”.

Front to counter Hurriyat
Ravi Bhatia
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 5
In a move which would have a deep impact on the political situation in the valley, at least half-a-dozen Kashmir-based organisations rooting for peace have decided to unite under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Muthahid-e-Markaz (Jammu and Kashmir United Forum) and provide an effective counter to the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC).

Highly placed sources said the preliminary spadework to unite these disparate groups under one banner had already been completed and the announcement was likely within the next few days.

The forum, which is being described as the brainchild of Mir Khurshid, Chairman of the valley-based Tehreeke Hasoole Aman, plans to contest all Assembly seats next year and its main plank would be restoring peace in the valley.

Mir Khurshid is well known in the valley as his non-government organisation — Kashmir International Foundation — has been undertaking relief work in the valley and providing succour to the victims of violence for the last couple of years.

While sources were reluctant to identify the other organisations which had opted to join the forum, indications are that at least half a dozen, including the World Islamic Conference and some at present of the APHC, had already given their consent.

Political observers see this as a significant move which could well pave the way for pursuing peace in the beleaguered valley and at the same time challenge the APHC which has been projecting itself as the sole voice of the Kashmiris.

There seems no doubt that the proposed forum has the blessings of the authorities who have been trying to involve the Kashmiris to come out and work for peace through democratic means. The timing too is significant as it virtually comes a week before the arrival of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for the Agra summit.