Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 |
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By Shujaat Bukhari
SRINAGAR, APRIL 12. The Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said that it would meet the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, during his visit to New Delhi on Saturday next. It also approached the Central Government for an appointment with the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. Even as the Hurriyat general and executive council took a unanimous decision to meet Gen. Musharraf and Dr. Singh,one of its constituents, People's Conference, boycotted the meeting. Speaking to The Hindu after the meeting, the Mirwaiz said: "During our meeting with Gen. Musharraf, we will stress upon consulting the Kashmiri leadership before going ahead with any measure which they [India and Pakistan] feel will help in resolving the crisis." Steps such as the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service were welcome "but it is important to take the people of the State into confidence."
"Include Kashmiris in talks"
"It is good that the Pakistan Government has been consulting the leadership in Azad Kashmir but it should happen on this side as well. The Kashmir dispute cannot be resolved without the inclusion of Kashmiris," he said. The Mirwaiz said that their meeting with Gen. Musharraf had been fixed for 4 p.m. on Saturday. The purpose of the meeting was to "put forward our point of view in the whole context of the Kashmir issue." On the issue of seeking an appointment with Dr. Singh, he said: "When we can meet the Pakistani President, why not Dr. Singh? After all both are parties to the Kashmir issue. We have sought an appointment with the Prime Minister but have not received any reply yet." But before the resumption of talks with the Government, the Hurriyat should be allowed to meet rebel leaders in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir "so that the process progresses in the right direction." No progress could take place by ignoring the militant leadership. Only a triangular approach could lead to any solution, he said.
Bilateral agreements opposed
"Let India and Pakistan talk to each other first and later talk to us to find an everlasting resolution to the Kashmir issue. No bilateral agreements will be acceptable to us. We will oppose them tooth and nail," the Mirwaiz said. Earlier, the Hurriyat faced an unexpected crisis with the People's Conference led by Bilal Lone staying away from the meeting. Explaining his decision, Mr. Lone said, "I have been asking them [the Hurriyat leadership] to make efforts to expand the Hurriyat otherwise whatever we do will not bear fruit. Our Hurriyat consists of just four executive members. We have to think in terms of challenges from people such as Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah."He said the People's Conference did not support today's decisions but "we do not oppose these. If they can deliver for the people, they are welcome."
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