M A I N   N E W S

Talks not at cost of unity, says Advani
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 24
The Centre today indicated that it was prepared to talk to anyone on the lines of decentralisation but made it clear that unity and integrity of the nation will not be compromised at any cost.

“We are prepared to talk to any group in Kashmir and the North-East... Talks are welcome, but the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country cannot be compromised,” Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani said here today, in an obvious reference to the Centre’s initiative to hold talks with the Kashmiri separatist group — Hurriyat Conference.

“We don’t want that all the powers remain confined to Delhi or for that matter to the state capitals alone. We favour decentralisation and are prepared to take steps for that,” Mr Advani said.

He also asserted that New Delhi’s fresh peace package to Islamabad was in no way an indication of a change in the government’s policy on holding talks with Pakistan.

“Our stance is the same that Pakistan has to stop cross-border terrorism, destroy the terrorist infrastructure and build a congenial atmosphere before any talks can begin,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s statement comes a day after the Hurriyat Conference adopted a cautious approach to the Centre’s fresh initiative.

He also rejected the demand for removing Centre’s interlocutor N N Vohra, saying that his efforts during the past six months had yielded tremendous results. “We can hold talks, but Mr Vohra cannot be changed.”

Hailing the steps taken by Mr Vohra in bringing separatists to the negotiating table, the Deputy Prime Minister said his efficiency as a civil servant and his knowledge on Kashmir helped the government in improving the situation.