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India & World
By B. Muralidhar Reddy
In a statement issued from Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), its chief, Syed Salahuddin, expressed surprise at Gen. Musharraf `s statement and urged Pakistan to rectify the "mistake" immediately. "The latest offer, if made without ensuring reciprocal measures by India, is regrettable and should be withdrawn," he said, arguing that successive unilateral concessions to India would create a negative and demoralising effect upon the Kashmiris. The Hizb chief, who is also chairman of the Mutahidda Jihad Council, reminded Pakistan that its role in Kashmir was determined by the United Nations Security Council resolutions. "By sidelining the U.N. resolutions Pakistan will cease to be a party to the dispute," he warned. Expressing confidence and trust in the Pakistan leadership and people, he described Pakistan's intentions as being good and said he knew Islamabad was trying to facilitate meaningful talks. "But one must see if the other side is also sincere and reciprocates in the same manner. If there is no positive response, then I must say that one-sided peace overtures will damage the Kashmir cause. I do not think there will be any positive effect by giving unilateral concessions to India." Asking Pakistan to evaluate the response it was likely to get from India before making unilateral offers and blaming India of taking what he termed undue advantage of the ceasefire, he said New Delhi was using it to move ahead with the fencing of the Line of Control. He accused the international community of not doing enough towards the settlement of the Kashmir issue and said that despite Islamabad's sincere efforts, it was "showering superficial praise on Pakistan but practically backing and encouraging India." He was wary of the response showed by the United States and other Western countries and said they welcomed President Pervez Musharraf's offer because it served their interests. "Their priority may be peace in this region but our priority is freedom from India. We do not need peace at the cost of our freedom. If they are also sincere for peace, they should press India to resolve the core issue."
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