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First day
of visit helps crystallize issues NEW DELHI, July 14 : After a day full of hectic activity from the time of President Pervez Musharraf’s arrival to the customary Presidential banquet, both India and Pakistan appeared determined to come up with some solutions at the Agra summit tomorrow even as they stuck to their known positions on the various issues dividing them. While the Pakistan President said he had come here with an open mind, he made it amply clear that he would like the Kashmir issue to be tackled before there could be progress on any other front. I have come with an open mind and look forward to my discussions with Indian leaders on establishing peaceful, tension-free and cooperative relations between our two countries, he said in a statement issued shortly after he arrived on a three-day state visit. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the Indian leaders who met him felt that a composite dialogue was necessary to bring normalcy in relations between the two countries. India also forcefully conveyed its concern over the cross-border terrorism supported by Islamabad and sheltering of extremists, apart from seeking extradition of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim who is wanted for the Mumbai bomb blasts of 1993. India’s views were conveyed to the Pakistan President when External Affairs and Defence Minister Jaswant Singh and Home Minister L K Advani separately called on him at Rashtrapati Bhavan. General Musharraf, who was formally received by President K R Narayanan and Mr Vajpayee in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on a wet Saturday morning, concluded his first day’s engagements at a banquet hosted by Mr Narayanan. General Musharraf also met Vice-President Krishan Kant and opposition leader Sonia Gandhi, lunched with the Prime Minister, visited his ancestral home Neharwali Haveli in the walled city, and attended a high tea at the Pakistan High Commissioner’s residence, where he met leaders of the All Party Hurriyat Conference. At banquet hosted by President K R Narayanan, Gen Musharraf maintained that Jammu and Kashmir dispute continued to block progress in normalisation of Indo-Pak relations, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf tonight said there could be no military solution to the dispute which must be resolved peacefully to end sufferings of the people of Kashmir. "We must be bold enough to face this issue (Kashmir) squarely and resolve it once and for all. This indeed will open a new chapter of fruitful relations between our two countries and also put an end to the sufferings of the people of Kashmir," he said in his speech at a banquet hosted in his honour by President K R Narayanan at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Asserting the nuclear status of the two countries imposed new responsibilities on them, Musharraf said "our capabilities and responsibilities in the new century no longer offer us the option of continuing on the path of a sterile impasse, continued hostility and mistrust." Striking a different note from the Kashmir centric pre-summit approach, Musharraf said he was deeply committed to finding a path towards normal relations between the two countries. Musharraf told the distinguished gathering at Rashtrapati Bhavan that included Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that he was deeply committed to finding a path towards normal relations between India and Pakistan. Asserting that India and Pakistan must not allow the past to dictate the future, Musharraf said they owed it to their future generations to do their utmost to open a new chapter of goodwill and cooperation. "As neighbouring countries, we need to bridge the gulf that divides us. I come to India with this purpose," the President said. Musharraf said the nuclear status imposed new responsibilities on the two countries. "We must overcome the burden of history. Other nations have done it. We must also do so," the visiting dignitary said, noting that the two countries had paid a heavy price for being locked in mutual suspicion and hostility. Stating that the legacy of the past years was not a happy one, Musharraf said India and Pakistan have been through wars, blood had been spilt and precious lives lost. Recalling Md Ali Jinnah’s vision of good relations between the two countries, Musharraf said, "this vision is not beyond our grasp." "I have come to India because I would like to do everything possible to realise the dream of the Quaid-e-Azam," he remarked and noted his presence in India brought to an end a hiatus of more than two years which has not served broader interests of either side. Noting that regions around the world were focusing on reducing tension for economic prosperity, social well- being and poverty alleviation, Musharraf said the Indian subcontinent needed "cooperation, mutual trust and peace." "The children of Pakistan and India must not be made to live under the constant shadow of conflict," he said. The President said he would like communications to open, trade to flourish, mindset to change and stereotypes to disappear. Praising Vajpayee for his "wisdom and dignity", he said his meeting with the Prime Minister earlier today was "extremely rewarding." Referring to tomorrow’s historic summit at Agra, Musharraf said the two sides will hold discussions on the future direction of their difficult and troubled relationship. President K R Narayanan expressed the belief that the Agra summit will evolve into a structured dialogue at various levels leading to the removal of all obstacles and misunderstanding and pave the way to the solution of problems and creation of an enduring friendship between India and Pakistan. Hosting a banquet in honour of the visiting Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, he said: "let us endeavour during this visit to build upon what we have agreed upon in the Simla Agreement and the Lahore declaration" At Simla the two countries solemnly declared that they would "put an end to the conflict and confrontation that have hitherto marred their relations." "May this spirit pervade the conference chamber tomorrow," Mr Narayanan added. Earlier, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf arrived here today with an "open mind" seeking a solution to the Kashmir problem "in accordance with the wishes of the people" there, but India left him in no doubt about Islamabad’s role in fomenting terrorism in the state. On a hectic day after a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President K R Narayanan and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the military ruler ignored India’s strong objections and held a closed-door 20-minute meeting with separatist Hurriyat Conference leaders to assure them of continued "political and moral support to the people of Kashmir to determine their future." A day before he engages India in highest level talks since the Kargil conflict, Musharraf said in his arrival statement that "I have come with an open mind and look forward to my discussions with Indian leaders on establishing peaceful, tension-free and cooperative relations between our two countries. In the statement Musharraf said for more than half a century "the Kashmir dispute has cast a shadow on relations between Pakistan and India. In my talks with the Indian leaders, I will be looking forward to a meaningful, frank and substantial discussion urging them to join hands with us in resolving this dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people." The visit which began with a protocol-wise correct ceremonial welcome showed signs of warming up when Musharraf and Vajpayee sat together at a lunch hosted by the Prime Minister and attended by Union Ministers, political leaders and distinguished personalities from various walks of life. In his interaction with Indian leaders and intellectuals, Musharraf made the point that rigidity on both sides would not help matters and called for appreciation of mutual difficulties. But India’s concerns over cross-border terrorism were articulated strongly by Home Minister L K Advani who told the General that innocent people should not be made victims of terrorism simply because of differences between Islamabad and New Delhi. Advani said non-resolution of any issue should not be used as an excuse for carrying on ‘Jehad’. He also made a strong case for an extradition treaty between the two countries while asking for return of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, now in Karachi. Musharraf, however, denied his presence in pakistan. Controversy continued to hover over the summit with the Pakistan President going ahead with his meeting with Hurriyat leaders who said the discussions were "meaningful" and would "bear fruit." Musharraf was quoted by Hurriyat Chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat as saying that people of Kashmir constituted the principal party to the dispute and that they would have to participate in any settlement. As Musharraf ignored Indian sensitivities on the issue, the ruling NDA constituents and top members of the Government boycotted the tea party hosted by Pakistan High Commissioner in honour of Musharraf. India has protested against the invitation to Hurriyat leaders as sole representative of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan Foreign Secretary Inamul Haq told reporters that Musharraf would extend an invitation to Vajpayee to visit Pakistan during their summit meeting in Agra tomorrow. "We are ready to discuss all issues, but the principal issue remains Kashmir," he said expressing the hope that some structure for a dialogue was on the cards. Maintaining that Pakistan would like to discuss the Kashmir issue in substance, Haq said other outstanding issues would also be raised. "But if there is any progress on the Kashmir issue, it will be much easier to move in other areas." Pakistan Foreign Secretary also strongly refuted media reports that Musharraf had repudiated the Simla and Lahore Accords saying he only felt they did not make progress as the Kashmir issue was not addressed by them. Despite Musharraf’s reservations, President K R Narayanan in his speech at the banquet he hosted for the Pakistani leader said both the countries should build on the two Accords and resolve the "unfinished agenda" of partition by sorting out their differences. "India and Pakistan should rule out violence from their relationship," Narayanan said. During the day, Musharraf mixed business with nostalgia when he made a visit to his ancestral house in Old Delhi and spent some moments. "I feel nostalgic," he said after a 20-minute hurricane tour of the home he left as a four-year-old child during partition. He also became the first ever Pakistan Head of State to pay homage at the Samadhi of Mahatama Gandhi where in the visitors’ book he wrote that the principles of peace and non violence were more relevant today especially in Indo-Pak relations. His lunch was preceded by a brief meeting with the Prime Minister at the Taj Hotel when he thanked the host for the warm welcome he has received since his arrival on a three-day visit. Apart from Advani, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and leader of the opposition Sonia Gandhi called on Musharraf. The Pakistan President called on Narayanan.(PTI) |
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‘Pilgrims’
convoy was the target’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, July 14: Inching close to Jammu City, a militant—suspected to be a suicide squad (fidayeen) of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit appeared in Manda forest area near Hari Niwas Palace this afternoon but disappeared on being spotted by a CRPF jawan. The fidayeen was reportedly camping in Manda forests with a plan to attack tomorrow’s convoy of Amarnath pilgrims, which cross Manda around 0430 hours in darkness. A massive search operation launched jointly by army, CRPF and local police at 1500 hours today to nab the fidayeen continued till 1900 hours but he remained untraced. Operation was suspended tonight and was expected to be resumed tomorrow morning. Police sources said a jawan of para-military CRPF, posted in a picket near Hari Niwas Palace, noticed the militant, who was wearing army uniform and carrying one AK-47 rifle and wearing a belt of ammunition, in the bushes below the Palace where the cop had gone to attend nature’s call at about 1400 hours today. The militant, according to cop, was heading towards a tap to drink water when he was noticed by the CRPF jawan. The jawan, who was unarmed at that time, rushed back to his picket and informed the presence of militant to his colleagues. CRPF jawans sounded local police deployed outside the Palace. Police parties from local police stations rushed to the spot and started a search operation at 1445 hours with the help of para-military personnel. After about half an hour, authorities requisitioned army which also joined the operation. According to sources, a delay of about 45 minutes in launching a search operation gave enough time to the fidayeen to escape from the forests. They said the militant might have taken shelter on the outskirts of Jammu City, most likely along the Circular road, which has direct access to Manda forests. Army, CRPF and police continued searches in the entire Manda forest and surrounding areas till 1900 hours when it started getting dark. The operation was suspended tonight and was likely to be resumed tomorrow morning, the sources said. The CRPF jawan, who had spotted the militant, told police officials that ultra was about 5.6 feet tall and was supporting a heavy beard. He was wearing an army dress, carrying an AK-47 rifle in his hand and wearing an ammunition belt. He said the militant most likely was a Kashmiri youth. Police said the only motive of fidayeen’s movement in Manda forest could have been to attack Amarnath pilgrims’ convoy, which cross Manda area around 0430 hours during darkness. The planned attack on yatra coincided with the visit of Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf to India, who was scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in Agra tomorrow. Meanwhile, authorities have stepped-up security of Amarnath pilgrims especially from Jammu to Nagrota on the highway to thwart any possibility of militants’ attack on the pilgrims. Already, the pilgrims were being provided with maximum possible security in view of militants’ threats. |
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Near total bandh in city on Musharraf's arrival Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, July 14: Normal life was badly affected today as city and adjoining areas observed near total bandh in response to the call given by Jammu Joint Students Federation (JJSF) to lodge protest against decision of the Centre to side-line nationalist forces of the State in on-going peace process. The bandh call was also given in support of the demand of re-organisation of State viz separate State for Jammu region, Union Territory status for Ladakh and Panun Kashmir (homeland) for displaced Kashmir Pandits. The call was also supported by the People’s Initiative for Peace and Unity, an umbrella organisation of JJSF, Panun Kashmir (PK) and Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and Dharmik Prachar Mandal. Most of the shops, bussiness establishments and educational institutions remained closed while public transport was also off the road. Though banks and Government Offices were officially open but attendance was very thin. The bandh was near total in the walled city but it evoked mixed response in the out-skirts. Adequate security arrangements were made in the city and other sensitive areas in view of the bandh. There was heavy deployment of police and para-military forces to avoid any untoward incidents. Barring some incidents of hot-exchanges between bandh supporters and cops, the bandh passed off peacefully without any report of violence in any part of the city and its peripheral areas. Since morning bandh supporters were seen moving in the one area from another and asking the people to observe bandh. The JJSF activists joined by the activists of Panun Kashmir and other social organisations included Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha took out a rally through the main bazar of the city. The rally started from Kacchi Chowni and passed through Parade Ground, Purani Mandi, Raghunath Bazar, Vinayak Bazar, Jewel Chowk, Vikram Chowk, Gandhi Nagar, Last Morh, Satwari and culminated at Dogra Chowk in front of the statue of the Pandit Prem Nath Dogra- Dogra legend, who in entire life struggled for the total integration of the State with India. The processionists were also shouting slogans against Pakistani President General Parvez Musharaf and Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee for neglecting aspiration of the people of the State especially Jammu, Ladakh and displaced Kashmiris. While addressing the gathering, Mr Rajinder Singh Jamwal, president of the JJSF, said that Indian Government has all along ignored the aspirations of pro-India and nationalist forces of the State especially of Jammu and Ladakh and has gone backward to appease the miniscule minority of Kashmiri by inviting Pakistani President General Parveez Musharraf for a summit. He said that the nationalist people of the State won’t take lying down the decisions being taken by the BJP and NDA Government at the whims and fancies of a few chosen one and under pressure from some foreign powers. He said that people of the State have taken the decision of a separate statehood for Jammu and would not rest till the objective is achieved. The decision to invite General Musharraf, the perpetrator of Kargil was an insult to the nation and the martyrs of Kashmir. Mr Ghulam Ali, senior vice president of the JJSF in his address said that General Musharraf has no mandate for holding a dialogue with India as he has overthrown a democratically elected Government in Pakistan. He said that it was difficult to digest that head of the largest democracy of the world was welcoming a person who had ruined democratic institution in his country. He regretted that Government of India has been offering one concession after another to Musharraf while as he has been adopting hard-line approach. He said that invitation to Hurriyat leaders was a direct interference in the internal affairs of our country. Mr Ajay Churungoo, chairman of the Panun Kashmir said that while the Pakistan took all the groups into confidence before embarking on the Indo-Pak summit, the Government of India did not take any such measures. He said that Government should adopt transparency on Kashmir policy and should consult its people before offering any concession to Pakistan. He said that Pakistan has not shown any response to the peace initiative by the Prime Minister Vajpayee and the attack on security forces and civilian targets has increased manifolds during the period of preceding the summit. Mr Raghunandan Billowria, Shiv Kumar Shakespeare, Dr Ramesh Chander, Ishwar Sharma, advocate and others also addressed the gathering. |
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Attack on Manjakot PS
repulsed Excelsior Correspondent POONCH/RAJOURI, July 14: A powerful explosion rocked Mendhar bus stand this morning wounding a teen-aged girl while Manjakot police station came under a militants’ attack late last night. A militant was shot dead by security forces in Seri Khwaja area of Mandi sector today. Reports said a mine, planted by the militants at Bus Stand in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district, went off at 1120 hours today when a cattle walked over it. The cattle died instantly. A teen-aged girl Kousar Begum, who was standing close to the site of explosion, sustained splinter injuries. Injured girl has been admitted in the sub district hospital. Her condition was stable. Police and security forces rushed to Bus Stand and cordoned off the area. Searches were carried out around Bus Stand for half an hour but no arrest could be made. Reports said the militants involved in planting the mine had managed to escape. Police sources said the militants had intended to blast a passenger bus with the mine to cause heavy casualties during Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s visit. Meanwhile, a big group of militants opened heavy firing with Pika gun and launched grenade attacks on Manjakot police station at 2100 hours last night. Attack was launched from atop a hill, where six to eight foreign mercenaries, reportedly of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit had taken positions. Police personnel from Manjakot police station led by SHO Chowdhary Yusuf replied the firing effectively. Army also rushed to police station and launched a counter attack against the militants. Reports said the exchange of firing between the two sides continued till 0400 hours today. While no casualty was reported on army or police side in the encounter, a couple of militants were reported to be injured. However, all militants including the injured ones managed to escape. Security forces launched a search operation in the areas surrounding Manjakot police station this morning to eliminate the militants involved in the attack. Police officers from Rajouri including SP Rajesh Kumar and DySP Headquarters visited Manjakot police station today and appreciated the professional maturity shown by police and security forces in thwarting the militants’ attack. Meanwhile, army and police, in a joint operation, gunned down one hardcore foreign mercenary Abu Bakar in Seri Khwaja area of Mandi sector in Poonch district this evening. Two associates of Abu Bakar were seriously injured in the encounter but they managed to escape. Army was searching the injured militants but they couldn’t be traced. One AK-47 rifle, one wireless set and some ammunition was recovered from the possession of slain ultra. |
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6 militants among 8 killed in Valley Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Jul 14: Ten civilians were injured in a grenade attack while two civilians and six militants were killed in the Kashmir valley today. Militants hurled a hand grenade towards a patrol of secururity forces at the crowded Awantipora bazar, on Srinagar-Jammu national highway. It exploded short of the actual target. As many as 10 civilians, including a girl, sustained splinter injuries. Unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants, killed a former militant, Mohammad Rafeeq Lone S/o Sikandar Lone of Bata-Wudar, at Gogjipathri (Chadoura) in upper Budgam. Reports said that a Gujjar girl, Gulabi D/o Mohammad Hussain Siyal of Riyan — who had got injured in an encounter between militants and security forces at Hallan, Kokernag on July 9 last — has succumbed to injuries at a hospital today. Apparently after a soldier’s misfire, troops of a Territorial Army unit opened indiscriminate gunfire on civilians at Thajiwara village, in Achhabal locality of Anantnag district in the forenoon today. According to eyewitnesses, troops felled a villager, Mohammad Yusuf Ganai S/o Mohammad Ahsan Ganai, as also a girl child Nazia daughter of Nazir Ahmed Lone. Meanwhile, the clashes between militants and security forces also went on as usual. Officials said that troops eliminated two militants in Kupwara district — one at Hangar Gali (Kalaroos) and another at Dudi (Machil). This evening, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 14th and 15th Bn, alongwith SOG Bandipore, raided a militant hideout at Garoora (Bandipore) after receiving information that a group of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were present at the residential house of a driver and wood-poacher, Mohammad Abdullah Dar. As the troops zeroed in, fierce gunbattle took place which lasted till late in the night. Two militants, believed to be Pakistani nationals, got killed. More casualties were expected even as troops destroyed Dar’s house in the operation. Reports from Baramulla said that during last night, troops of 12 Sikh Li intercepted an infiltrating group of militants at Neera-1 post, in Somawali area, in Uri-Gulmarg belt. Two militants got killed and five more managed to escape. Two pistols, 9 grenades and 5 wireless sets were recovered from the spot. Reports from Keran said that an Army porter, Yaqoob Khan R/o Kandian, walked over a mine laid by security forces near Pathra post, close to LoC in Kupwara district. He sustained critical injuries in the blast. He was rushed to a hospital. |
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Executive to meet soon NEW DELHI, July 14: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front today stuck to its decision to boycott the meeting of Hurriyat Conference leaders with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf saying it was opposed to any dialogue process from which any of the three parties, India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir, was missing. The Hurriyat leaders have been invited for the meeting with Musharraf at a reception being hosted by his High Commissioner, Jehangir Qazi this evening. JKLF, which was in the fore-front of the militancy in the State, said its executive committee will be meeting shortly to take stock of the situation arising out of the outfit having been sidelined by other Hurriyat Conference leaders. JKLF, which is one of the founding outifts of the 23-party conglomerate, said it was of the view that the invitation to the Hurriyat Conference leaders for the reception was an "insult" to the Kashmiris aspirations. "When the Hurriyat Conference’s executive decided to send a letter to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, (for meeting) it was not for tea," acting chairman of JKLF Bashir Bhat told PTI. Bhat said the decision of the Hurriyat executive was for seeking an appointment with Vajpayee and Musharraf and not to "sip a cup of tea and provide photo opportunity." However, when it was pointed out that a one-to-one meet was in the offing with Musharraf, Bhat retorted "they (Hurriyat leaders) never bothered even to convey to us about the decision." Taking a dig at suggestions made by some Hurriyat leaders yesterday during the meet-the-press programme with Pakistani journalists, the JKLF leader said "independence option or what you call as third option can either be loved or hated but never ignored." The rift between JKLF and other Hurriyat constituents came to the fore on July 10 when the pro-independence outfit announced its decision to boycott the reception terming it as "humilating" for the conglomerate. Justifying his party’s stand, Bhat said "we are a part and parcel of the Kashmir dispute and we do not believe in the tea or dinner diplomacy." Bhat has taken control of JKLF as its chairman Yaseen Malik is away in London undergoing medical treatment. "The JKLF’s unhappiness with the forthcoming Indo-Pak summit stems from the fact that we want the involvement of Kashmiris in any talk over Kashmir," he said. Bhat said the purpose of Hurriyat "letter on June 22 to Vajpayee and Musharraf" was to seek participation in any dialogue aimed at resolution of Kashmir. Though former chairman of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq sought to downplay the differences within the amalgam saying "JKLF should have no objections as the meeting will be one-to-one with Pakistan President", Bhat said "such decisions are not taken at the last minute. Besides, Hurriyat should have immediately convened an executive meeting to discuss the developments." Though Hurriyat leaders claim a closed door meeting with Musharraf was on, Bhat said "we do not want to participate in a process where any of the three parties — India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir — is missing." (PTI) |
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Epidemic breaks-out in
Ramkot Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, July 14: Three persons including a child have died while 15 others are taken ill due to an epidemic that has spread in village Ramkot in Billawar tehsil of this district during last couple of days. A lady doctor, posted in Garag Primary Health Centre (PHC) was among the patients. Official sources confirmed three death due to diarrohea so far. Victims have been identified as Ashu Kumar, 14, Mantoo, 5 and Dharam Chand, 50, all resident of Ramkot. While Dharam Chand died in his house, Ashu and Mantu breathed their last in the PHC Ramkot. Fifteen persons were admitted in PHC Ramkot and sub district hospital of Billawar. Dr Neelu Kumari said five victims of diarrohea were under treatment in Ramkot hospital and condition of all of them was stable. Dr Darshana Kumari, posted in Garag PHC, was also suffering from diarrohea and has been admitted in Billawar hospital. Health authorities from Kathua have rushed staff and medicines to Ramkot for treatment of the victims. Epidemic now has been controlled, Health officials here said. Reports said that consumption of water from natural resources by the villagers due to shortage of potable water resulted into breakout of epidemic. Natural water was reportedly mixed with irrigation water from fields. Meanwhile, Lakhanpur police today arrested two scooterists and recovered 36 bottles of Corex from their possession. They have been identified as Vishal Jasrotia and Parveen Kumar, both residents of Patel Nagar, Kathua. The duo were bringing Corex bottles from Pathankot to Kathua for sale among drug-addicts. Corex bottles were hidden by them in dickey of the scooter. Arrests were made by a Lakhanpur police station party led by SHO Vinod Kumar. |
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Hizbul flays JKLF for boycotting tea reception ISLAMABAD, July 14 : Pakistan-based militant group Hizbul Mujahideen has criticised the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) for boycotting today’s high tea reception hosted by Pakistan High Commission to India for President Pervez Musharraf. "I will not agree with this boycott. Brother Yaseen Malik, the leader of the JKLF, is not right in boycotting the reception. The JKLF decision is not in the interest of the Kashmiri movement," Hizbul Mujahideen leader Sayed Salahuddin told PTI over phone from Muzafarabad today. Musharraf was not at fault when he invited the Hurriyat Conference leaders to visit Islamabad for consultations, but they could not come as they were not permitted by India, Salahuddin said adding now that he got an opportunity, he invited them for tea in New Delhi. Salahuddin said though Pakistan ruled out the third option of granting independence to Kashmir, according to his impression Pakistan would ultimately agree for it if the idea has an overwhelming support among Kashmiris. However, he said his organisation supported accession of Kashmir to Pakistan. Asked about his impression of Musharraf’s India visit, which began today, he said it was too difficult to say which way the proposed summit between the Pakistani military ruler and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would go. However, it would be a historical breakthrough if India accepted realities and granted the right of self determination to Kashmiris, Salahauddin said. Salahuddin said "we cannot predict at this stage which way the summit will go" and added that the issue should be resolved under the guidelines set by the UN resolutions on Kashmir. "But unless and until the Kashmir issue is resolved there won’t be peace between the two countries," he said. He said "the ultimate resolution of the Kashmir issue lies with the will of the Kashmiri people. There should be tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and Kashmiri leaders to solve the problem." Salahuddin denied any meeting between the United Jihad Council (UJC) and Musharraf last week to discuss the Pakistani leader’s India visit. Details of the meeting was published by the Pakistani newspaper The Nation yesterday. The story about the meeting is not true, he said. Salahuddin is also the chairman of the UJC, an umbrella organisation comprising 14 militant groups. (PTI) |
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Who holds key to peace — PM or General? NEW DELHI, July 14 : Who holds the key to peace in the subcontinent? Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf? The issue came up at the lunch hosted by Vajpayee in honour of Musharraf at the Taj Palace hotel here. Former Prime Minister V P Singh who was sitting next to the table shared by Vajpayee and Musharraf, said he told the two Heads of Government that peace in the subcontinent depended on them. "To this, Vajpayeeji said it depends on the General Sahab. But Musharraf replied `no, no it depends on both of us," Singh recalled after emerging from the lunch.’" (PTI) |
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Tipnis greets Musharraf with Shake hand NEW DELHI, July 14: In a conspicuous departure from strict protocol requirements, Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis did not salute Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf at the ceremonial reception in Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning and only shook hands with him. Tipnis, who was representing the three services as per the rotation principle for ceremonial welcomes, was in the front row of dignitaries amidst speculation on how he would greet the man perceived to be the mastermind behind the Kargil intrusions. A controversy had erupted during the visit of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Lahore in 1999 when it was widely reported that the three service chiefs of Pakistan including Musharraf, who was then the Army chief, had refused to come to the Wagah Border to greet the visiting Indian leader. Another noticeable sidelight was the choice of a strapping six-footer Wing Commander Pawan Rishi from Communications Squadron to lead the inter-services guard of honour and to escort Musharraf for inspection of the 150 strong contingent of defence personnel. The selection of a tall parade commander was, according to a section of the media, made deliberately so that the visiting General would have to look up to him at the end of the guard of honour while taking the salute. (PTI) |
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Agra outcome will be acceptable: CM NEW DELHI, July 14: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today urged Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to make sincere efforts to bring peace in the State. Abdullah, who was specially called by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to be introduced to Musharraf during a lunch hosted for the visiting dignitary, conveyed to Musharraf that Kashmiris were looking at the Agra summit with a great hope and expected that Islamabad would make sincere efforts in bringing down violence. "Let the Agra summit usher a new dawn of peace in the State which has been ravaged by the decade-long violence," Abdullah said. "The General responded and said yes, that is why I am here," Abdullah told PTI after the lunch which was being hosted by Vajpayee for Musharraf. The Chief Minister told Vajpayee and Musharraf that "whatsoever will be decided at Agra summit, will be acceptable to Kashmiris. "I told the Prime Minister in presence of Musharraf that there will be no third party to the issue," the Chief Minister said. (PTI) |
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Musharraf shows interest in upkeep of Gurdwaras NEW DELHI, July 14: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today showed interest in the upkeep of Sikh Gurdwaras in that country and sought suggestions from Minorities Commission member Tarlochan Singh in this regard. Singh, who met the Pakistan President at the lunch hosted by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said he had given a detailed note to Musharraf suggesting that Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) which is an elected body be fully associated with the upkeep and maintenance of Gurdwaras in that country and a committee be set up for this purpose. "As there are numerous historic Gurdwaras in Pakistan which have been neglected since partition, the SGPC, which is the elected body of the Sikhs, is interested in restoring them," he said. Singh said the present committee in Pakistan was headed by a former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and it was felt that the committee should have only Sikh members. He said the historic places in Pakistan included the birthplace of Guru Nanak in Nankana Sahib as also his resting place, birth place of Guru Ramdas and the place where Guru Arjun Dev obtained martyrdom. Singh said the Sikh Gurdwaras should have facilities including those for boarding pilgrims from world over who would like to visit them. (PTI) |
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