The Hindu : We are ready for unconditional dialogue, says Hurriyat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 22, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

We are ready for unconditional dialogue, says Hurriyat

By Luv Puri

SRINAGAR NOV. 21. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference today sought public endorsement of its latest stand to hold talks with the Central Government on solving the Jammu and Kashmir issue. The conglomerate stressed that the people of the State should be recognised as the final arbiters of their destiny.

Addressing a religious gathering at the historic Jama Masjid on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramzan here this afternoon, the APHC leader, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, said, "we have accepted the offer to talk with the Central Government unconditionally as the conglomerate always stood for dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. Let the invitation come from the Indian Government and we are prepared to talk."

The Mirwaiz repeatedly sought public endorsement of the conglomerate's stand of "talks with the Centre". He said: "We would not compromise on the interests of the people of the State and would make sure that their sacrifices did not go waste. Inshaallah (God willing) with the people's support, we would achieve our goal."

Speaking from a prepared note, the Mirwaiz said, "the issue has been raging for the last several decades and it is the people of the State who are suffering. We want to end this pain and we need the support of the masses."

The former chairman of the conglomerate, Abdul Ghani Bhat, said the Hurriyat had a prepared blueprint with it and would present it to the people "whenever the invitation comes."

"The blueprint would help us to start a concrete and fruitful dialogue on the Kashmir issue,"

he said and made a fervent appeal to all separatist group to come together in the larger interests of the State.

The decision of the APHC has evoked sharp reactions from the leaders of the rival Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Mr. Geelani told The Hindu: "The people who are accepting the offer to hold talks cannot be described as the representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They are betraying the trust of the people as by holding talks they have in a way transformed an international problem to a domestic Indian problem. The issue can only be settled through tripartite talks."

The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, described the decision of the Hurriyat Conference as another step towards normalisation of the vexed Jammu and Kashmir issue. Calling it a "good beginning", the former Chief Minister and National Conference patron, Farooq Abdullah, welcomed the Hurriyat's decision.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page