Unconditional talks with anyone, everyone: Dr Singh
PM promises new Kashmir, announces
Rs 24,000 cr revival plan

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 17: Reaching out to the people living in Valley, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today offered to hold unconditional talks with "anyone and everyone" who abjure violence and at the same time announced Rs 24,000 crore for economic revival plan while promising to build a new Kashmir of peace, hope and prosperity.

As reduction of troops began in the State coinciding with Prime Minister’s maiden visit, Dr Singh said if the conditions improved and infiltration was brought under control, there could be further cut in troops deployment.

Sharing the grief and hardships faced by the people of the militancy hit State, Dr Singh told a well attended public rally "I have a dream and a firm belief that we can and we shall build a new Kashmir which will become a symbol of peace, hope and prosperity."

"Kashmir needs prosperity with peace. But peace without dignity is meaningless", he said in his address at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium Park, barely 200 metres away from Dalgate area where two militants were killed earlier during the day in an exchange of fire.

"Our Government is committed to an unconditional dialogue with anyone and everyone in the State who abjures violence," Dr Singh said at the rally. He made a similar statement while addressing the maiden convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, a deemed University at SKICC this morning.

"We will talk to all those who have concern for Kashmiris. My doors are open to those who want to meet me to usher in peace. I have no conditions but their intention should be genuine," he said.

In his 20-minute speech at the rally , the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed among other leaders, said he had come with a "message of peace...I want to assure all of you that Kashmir is very close to my heart."

Speaking from behind a bullet-proof glass shield, Dr Singh said he had agreed to sanction Rs 24,000 crore for the economic revival and development of infrastructure including roads, power, schools, railway network and other key areas in the State.

He said Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed has assured him that he would initiate necessary steps for the uplift of the people.

Announcing a Rs 24,000 crore economic revival plan, the Prime Minister promised to help the State in ending the problem of unemployment and work for building infrastructure and bringing in new investment. The Prime Minister, however, emphasised that peace was essential for bringing about economic rebuilding of J and K.

The Prime Minister assured the people that 24,000 new job opportunities would be created for the unemployed youth in the State.

Stressing that New Delhi wanted a purposeful dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues, Dr Singh said the only condition was that Pakistani territory should not be used for terrorist activities against India.

"Our Government is committed to a purposeful dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues. The only condition is that, as agreed to by Pakistan, territories under its control should not be used to promote cross-border terrorism directed against us," he said.

The Prime Minister recalled that when he met Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September, he impressed upon him the need for both the nations to work for peace.

Kashmir needs peace, he said appealing to people to strengthen his hands in achieving this goal.

On Government’s willingness to talk with militants if they shunned violence, the Prime Minister said the task of reconstructing Kashmir cannot wait until these dialogues arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.

"We cannot afford this luxury. The challenge is to begin peace building in Kashmir now," he said adding there may be forces that do not share "our vision" and actively seek to undermine it.

"I want the journey to begin here and now in Kashmir," Dr Singh said.

The Prime Minister said "we have dreams for India and similar dreams for our neighbors, particularly Pakistan, our close neighbour," and added that "we like to live together in peace".

He said Kashmir needs jobs, tourists, connectivity, credit, agro-industry and power.

The Prime Minister said he would constitute a high-powered advisory council on economic development of the State.

The Centre will plan holistic, long term, social and economic development of the State and identify sources of earning.

Without naming Hurriyat Conference and militants, the Prime Minister sought suggestions and views of political parties and those outside the political system for fulfilling the dream of "a new Kashmir".

"I have no condition but they should come with peace and give peace a chance. I extend an invitation to the Government of J&K, all political parties and people who are outside the political system, activists of civil society to give us suggestions as to what we have to do for fulfilling the dream of Naya Kashmir", he said.

The Prime Minister said "I promise on behalf of my Government that we will take forward the process with honesty".

Seeking to strike a chord with the people, Dr Singh said "I have come with a message of peace. More important is that Kashmir and its people are very close to me. I assure you that the future of Kashmir and its people is safe in our hearts, minds and constitution."

The Prime Minister, who began the visit by paying obeisance at the famous Hazratbal shrine, said India was talking to Pakistan so that this meaningless violence ends.

"I have extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan", the Prime Minister said adding he had told Gen Musharraf "we can find solutions to all issues if we work with humanity and honestly."

Asserting that his Government was committed to a "purposeful" dialogue with Pakistan to settle all outstanding issues, he said at the convocation that "our only condition is that, as agreed to by Pakistan, territory under control of Pakistan should not be used to promote cross-border terrorism directed against us."

The Prime Minister said Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi, who had visited the State several times, had sent a message that the Centre would work hand in hand with the State Government for overall development of the State.

The Prime Minister said the Government would make all efforts to ensure that people of the State got easier access across the Line of Control (LoC) to meet their relatives and friends.

Hurriyat flayed for putting pre-conditions for talks
PM virtually rejects Musharraf's formula

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 17: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today flayed Hurriyat Conference for putting a pre-condition of visiting Pakistan for resumption of talks with the Centre even as he expressed willingness to hold talks with anyone who has a point of view on Kashmir issue.

"They (Hurriyat) should not put it as a precondition. We are not putting any preconditions, and we don’t expect any precondition from them," Singh told reporters at a press conference at the end of the first day of two-day tour to Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the Government was willing to talk to anyone who had a point of view on Kashmir issue.

"We have duly elected representatives in Jammu and Kashmir but we realise that there are people outside the electoral process. Whoever is willing to talk to us, we are willing to talk to them," he added.

Infering that the Hurriyat leaders have been meeting the Pakistani leaders, the Prime Minister said the Pakistan High Commission is regularly organising meetings whenever any dignitary visits this country.

"Moreover, in this age of internet and satellite phones, people can contact each other anywhere in the world," he said.

Singh, however, said he had an open mind to the visit to Pakistan by any Indian citizen, if he is entitled to.

To a question, he denied that talks had been derailed since the UPA-led Government took over at Centre and said his dispensation had been in office for only six months during which it took some vital decisions.

In a virtual rejection of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s new formula on Kashmir, Mr Singh said that India would not accept any proposal for redrawing of International Border or further division.

"I have made it clear to President Musharraf that any redrawing of the International Border is not acceptable to us. Any proposal which smacks of further division is not going to be acceptable to us," Singh said.

He said India was willing to look at proposals that were on the table but contours of Musharraf’s formulation were still not clear.

Musharraf had suggested that India and Pakistan consider the option of identifying some "regions" of Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), demilitarise them and grant them the status of independence or joint control or under UN mandate.

To a question whether reduction of troops in the State was aimed at strengthening India’s claim for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, the Prime Minister said no world leader has conveyed to him that Kashmir was an obstacle for it.

"I have been to the European Union, the UN where I met US President George Bush... Nobody has told me that Kashmir is an obstacle (for India) becoming a member of the UN Security Council," he said.

"India becoming a permanent member in the UNSC is a reflection of the role we play in the world. We represent one billion population... And the fastest growing economy," the Prime Minister said and added that New Delhi deserved a better deal.

Observing that the process of dialogue with the separatist groups in the State has not been derailed, Singh said "we are willing to talk to anybody in Kashmir... If they wish to talk to us, we are willing to talk to them without any condition."

Replying to a question, the Prime Minister rejected the contention that India was following the road map drawn by the United States to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"No, as far as I am concerned, our country is concerned, we are doing so out of clear recognition that both of us have an obligation to make serious efforts to resolve all outstanding issues through peaceful and purposeful negotiations," he said.

To a question whether India agreed to the conversion of LoC into a permanent border, Singh said that it was a technical question and "when proposals are put on the table, we will consider that."

To a reporter’s question whether the Kashmir issue would be resolved during "our lifetime", Singh said "I am not pessimistic and I am hopeful enough.... We have lived through all this.... Who could have thought that the berlin wall would melt and germany would be united.... We are making sincere efforts to resolve all oustanding issuses through purposeful and meaningful negotiations."

To a question about pre-conditions being put by the Hurriyat Conference, the Prime Minister said that "we are not putting any pre-condition and we do not expect them to put any pre-condition to talk to us."

On the alleged human rights violations in the State, he said that occasionally aberrations occur. "It is for the honour and dignity of the security forces that whenever any human rights violation takes places, stern and appropriate action should be taken."

Asked to elabroate his statement regarding "peace with dignity" in the trouble State, he said that dignity meant respect for all fundamental human freedoms which people of this country enjoyed under the constitution.

He also dismissed a suggestion that Government was "negligent" in pressurising Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism to ensure meaningful dialogue.

"It is not true... More than once I have made it clear that Pakistan has to abide by the January six, 2004 statement of Gen Musharraf who had explicitly committed that Pakistan would not do anything to encourage cross-border terrorism," he said.

To a query, he said that he would impress upon his ministers to visit and "more often visit" the State which is an integral part of India.

Two fidayeen killed near Manmohan's rally venue

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Nov 17: Security forces today averted what could have turned into a major catastrophe, killing two suicide militants yards away from the venue of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s first ever public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir. Though the PM’s programmes were delayed by about three hours, Dr Singh kept his schedule of addressing the rally at the same venue on Sher-e-Kashmir International Cricket Stadium in Sonwar Bagh.

Taking advantage of a major security lapse, at least two heavily armed militants had perched themselves on vantage positions in the foothills of Shankaracharya hillock overlooking the venue of the Prime Minister’s public rally. Hours before Dr Singh’s scheduled arrival, a Police official spotted the militants. According to reliable sources, the militants asked him to be calm with an assurance that they were not going to strike on Police. The Police official managed to come down the hill. Suddenly he flashed the message to his higher ups who rushed BSF and CRPF troops to pin down the militants. Consequently, a fierce gunbattle commenced between the militants and security forces, which lasted for about four hours.

Even as the armed forces succeeded in eliminating both the militants at about 1100 hours, most of the PM’s programmes were rescheduled. The public meeting, which was originally scheduled to be addressed by the PM at 1200 hours, was postponed by two hours.

The gunbattle, which occurred amid tight security arrangements for the PM’s visit, diverted the attention of a thick media brigade present in town. A large number of mediapersons had already in to report the PM’s first visit to Kashmir. The day broke with fierce gunfire around the venue of the PM’s public meeting in the high security zone of Sonwar. Suddenly, all the OB vans of six private television news channels reached close to the site of the encounter and they telecast the entire gunbattle live.

Officials maintained that just two AK-56 rifles and a pistol were recovered from the site of the encounter. Sources, however, revealed to this newspaper that the militants also carried an RPG rifle, which could well have been used to fire grenades on the public meeting. Sher-e-Kashmir International Cricket Stadium, which was the venue of the PM’s rally, is barely 200 metres from Sulaiman Shopping Complex behind which the militants had taken positions on the hillock. It is also in close vicinity of Badami Bagh Cantonment—headquarters of Army’s 15th Corps. Officials admitted that the venue of the PM’s rally was well within the effective range of the militants’ gunfire. Firing of rifle grenades or even routine AK-47 gunshots, coupled with a possible chain reaction from Police and security forces, could have created stampede at the stadium.

While two militants got killed, three soldiers and an equal number of civilians sustained minor injuries in the gunbattle. Security forces searched shrubs and bushes to see whether the militants had carried any sniper rifles or rockets to directly target the Prime Minister and other VVIPs. However, the seaches yielded nothing till late this evening. Authorities insisted that the militants just wanted to create a scene to attract the media attention and they could not have attacked the PM or his rally from that distance, though within their firing range.

A spokesman of Al-Mansoorain guerrilla organisation identified the fidayeen duo as Abu Asim of Peshawar and Irshad Ahmed Bhat of Bohri Kadal, Srinagar. He claimed that two more militants of the group, namely Abu Talha and Abu Usman, managed to withdraw and both of them reached safely back to their hideout. He further claimed that nine soldiers got killed in the operation. Justifying the suicide attack, the spokesman said that the militants of his outfit wanted to convey it to the Indian Prime Minister that the Kashmiris were engaged in a "freedom struggle" and they could not be tamed with the so-called economic packages.

DIG Central Kashmir, Hemant Kumar Lohia, did not agree that reaching of the militant duo so close to the venue of the PM’s public meeting was a security lapse. He told the EXCELSIOR that the two militants had "possibly" reached there with the help of their over-ground workers in the nearby built up area and dumped their weapons days before. Asked which organisation of Police or security forces was specifically responsible for sanitising the hillock overlooking the SK Cricket Stadium, Lohia said that it was joint responsibility of all organisations. He sought credit to Police and armed forces, asserting that they spotted and eliminated the militants without suffering any damage. He said that the authorities would examine microscopic details of the incident and identify the erring officials, if any.

Three hours after the roaring of guns subsided, Manmohan Singh addressed a 10,000-strong public meeting at the same venue. Even as scores of JKLF activists engaged Police in a ding-dong clash at Maisuma and Kashmir valley observed shutdown in response to a call from militants and the Hurriyat Conference faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Government machinery ferried reasonable number of the rural folks to the PM’s rally. Hundreds of private passenger buses had been hired for transportation of the PDP and Congress followers.

Reports said that Police and civil administration co-ordinated with the PDP and Congress leaders to ensure a thick gathering in honour of the Prime Minister. Policemen in mufti and Government employees had also been mobilised for the rally. No untoward incident took place during transportation of the rallyists, who carried PDP’s and Congress’ flags and placards seeking peace, development and jobs.

Meanwhile, reports from north Kashmir said that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 14th Bn eliminated two more militants in a fierce gunbattle with them in Rangdori Bahak forest area of Bandipore late last night. Yet another militant has been killed by security forces in another encounter close to LoC in Tangdar. Sources said that late last night militants fired upon the minority Police guards at Marhama in Kulgam and Fatehpora Larkipora in Anantnag. At both the places, Police retaliated and forced the militants to retreat. However, a head constable sustained injuries in the brief encounter with militants at Larkipora.

PM has good roadmap to peace: CM

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 17: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today hoped that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit here will strengthen this hope as he has a good roadmap to ensure a bright future for people of the State.

"The Prime Minister’s roadmap is good. Tomorrow will be better. The future for the State is bright," Sayeed said in his address to Prime Minister’s public rally, adding ``there is a new ray of hope for return of peace in Jammu and Kashmir’’.

Referring to the series of Confidence Building Measures between India and Pakistan, the Mufti said the way for peace is being paved and new roads are being constructed for it.

The Prime Minister has come here and we are hopeful that he will strengthen the ray of hope, he added.

Lauding steps on de-induction of troops from Jammu and Kashmir, the Mufti said it is the confidence in the people’s desire for peace that has led to such a bold initiative.

"The Centre’s latest move has a message for Pakistan that wars would not solve any problem and all roads have been closed except for the path of peace and dialogue for resolution of issues," he said.

The Chief Minister said the turnaround in the situation of the State was possible due to the determination of its people and their desire for peace with dignity.

"It is the people who want peace with dignity. They braved the threats to come out to vote in favour of a change and set out on the path of peace," he said.

The Chief Minister said he made all attempts to correct the perception of the people on the other side of the border about the situation in the State.

"When the Pakistani delegation was here recently, I told them about the development of infrastructure that has taken place here over the past decades in terms of education", he added.

"Gun had no role in the present scenario with the dialogue process between India and Pakistan and between the Centre and people of the State in progress", the Mufti said.

He added that people of the State had borne the brunt of the 15-year-long turmoil which has rendered thousands of orphans, widows and handicapped.

"We have to think about them and to make their lives better", the Chief Minister said.

There are many youth who did not take to guns... But we are trying to create conditions for even the gunmen to lay their arms, he said.

Siachen withdrawal after Pak delineates boundary
Troop cut to be in phased manner: Pranab

NEW DELHI, Nov 17: Troop reduction from Jammu and Kashmir would be carried out in a "phased" manner and the numbers would be flexible depending on the ground situation in the militancy-hit State, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here today.

Mukherjee told reporters here that the troops would be withdrawn from all regions of the State barring Siachen Glacier, and "there is no time-frame for the reduction of troops and the de-induction will be carried out in different areas of the State after careful study of the ground situation and the pattern of violence."

Asked about the number of troops which would be de-inducted and whether this would encompass troubled areas like Poonch-Rajouri and the frontier district of Kupwara, he said "the numbers of troops to be withdrawn will be flexible and left to operational commanders".

Mukherjee said the move to reduce troops was a unilateral decision by India.

On the militant shootout near the place in Srinagar where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was to address a rally, he said such incidents during the visits of the Prime Ministers and foreign dignitaries were a pattern.

"We had information that the militants will carry out some action to prove their visibility," Mukherjee said asserting the authorities would not be provoked by such actions.

Earlier speaking to reporters during naval manoeuvres off the Mumbai coast, the Minister said the issue in Siachen was not of pull back of troops but demarcation of Actual Ground Positions held.

"We have told them (Pakistan) to delineate first. Some positions we hold (in Siachen) are very advantageous, which if we vacate, there is danger they might take over," the Defence Minister said.

He said though terrorist infrastructure was still intact across the border, the troop de-induction was being undertaken as the number of infiltrators had gone down and anti-infiltration measures undertaken along the Line of Control were paying "high dividends".

"We can agree to a withdrawal only after Pakistan agrees to delineate a boundary in the glacier area. Their stand is that we should withdraw troops first. If we follow this course, what proof will we have if they decide to do a ‘Kargil’ on us," he said.

"However, we will discuss the matter and are hopeful the dispute will be resolved," he told mediapersons on board the western fleet’s flagship INS Mysore — the indigenously-built guided missile destroyer of the ‘Delhi’ class — during the ‘Defence Minister’s day at sea’ yesterday.

The Defence Minister said the decision to carry out troop reductions in Jammu and Kashmir had been taken after the improvement in the ground situation, not because of Pakistan.

"The decision was not taken because of Pakistan, but despite Pakistan," he said, noting that the infiltration had decreased not because the neighbouring country was taking appropriate steps but because of the efforts of the security forces.

"There has been no decrease in number of people being sent and the terrorist infrastructure across the border is largely intact," Mr Mukherjee asserted, adding that the decrease in number of successful infiltrations had been achieved by the vigil of the security forces and the fencing.

The number of infiltrators killed this year would be slightly higher than the corresponding number last year, he said.

Crediting the security forces for the reduction in infiltration, Mukherjee said "we have decided to reduce troops but not vigilance."

Observing that the Indian Ocean region was of key importance to the nation’s security, he said "we have to enhance our maritime protection capabilities.

"We have to protect our maritime interests in the region which is key to transportation of energy. We cannot forget the geopolitical situation in the region and have to be extra careful and watchful," he said.(Agencies)

CPM backs PM's Kashmir visit

NEW DELHI, Nov 17: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today expressed hope that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir would build a conducive atmosphere for restoration of peace in the Valley and said his gesture of reducing troops there was "a significant move".

The reduction of troops, it said, had vindicated the UPA Government’s firm resolve to restore normalcy in the Valley by de-escalating tension there for talks between the Centre and various groups.

"The Prime Minister’s gesture of troop reduction preceeding the visit to Jammu and Kashmir is a significant move, which should instill the required confidence in carrying forward the political process," CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechuri said in an interview to UNI.

Mr Yechuri also spoke at length on the likely issues the Left proposed to take up in the forthcoming winter session of Parliament, the NDA allies supporting the BJP’s line on Ayodhya, the EPF, FDI in insurance and telecom and the scheduled UPA-Left cordination meet here on November 24, among other things.

The CPI(M) senior leader said the Government’s initiative on Jammu and Kashmir should go a long way in resolving the persistent problem.

"Yes, the UPA Government is going in the right direction as far as its approach to Jammu and Kashmir is concerned... It has adopted a right approach... It should focus mainly on controlling militancy and gaining the confidence of the Kashmiri people through a political process," Mr Yechuri said in reply to a specific query on Centre’s approach to the Kashmir issue.

On the issues the Left would take up during the winter session of Parliament, Mr Yechuri said apart from demanding the roll back of hike in petrol prices, they would want the Government to reconsider the hike in the rates of LPG and diesel as well.

"The other important issues we will take up would be the implementation of the employment guarantee scheme, Lok Pal bill, right to information bill, among others,"

The Common Minimum Programme, Mr Yechuri said, was non-negotiable and wondered why "some quarters" were now raising the question of availability of finances for implementing the EGS and the food for work programme.

The Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission have reportedly raised questions on the financial viability of these social welfare projects and the availability of huge funds for these.

"But we have told the Finance Ministry and Planning Commission deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia that the Government can easily raise the funds. It can recover Rs 1,52,000 crore which are due as tax arrears and over Rs 1,00,000 crore as non performing assets of the nationalised banks."

He said the Left wanted the basic committment in the CMP to be carried out "in letter and in spirit".

On the restoration of 9.5 per cent rate of interest on EPF, the CPI(M) leader lamented that the Government had so far not decided in this direction. "It seems the Government has yet to take a positive decision on this issue, but the Left will continue to press for the demand."

The Left-affiliated trade unions— mainly the CITU and the AITUC—have already given a call for a nationwide protest on December 24 to press for the roll back of the hike in prices of petroleum products, restoration of 9.5 per cent interest rate on EPF, among other things.

The Government has already reduced the petrol price by around Rs 1.20, but the Left described it as an inadequate step in view of spiralling prices and inflation, and reduction of oil prices in the international market after the US Presidential election.

On the allies expressing satisfaction on the BJP’s clarification on Ayodhya issue, Mr Yechuri said, "indeed the NDA’s resolve in this direction reflects the opportunistic character of the allies and their frustration."

He said, "there is a fundamental contradiction in the NDA... More the BJP goes back to the Hindutva plank, the more the allies lose their social base. Unless the BJP has the allies on its side it cannot nurse the illusion of coming back to power."

On proposed FDI hike in insurance and telecom sectors, he said the Left would oppose any Government move to amend the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) to pave way for enhancing foreign equity from 49 to 74 per cent.

"The Left will submit its viewpoints at the UPA-Left coordination meet on December 24 opposing the Finance Minister’s note on the subject."

Countering the Government’s plea that informally 74 per cent FDI already exists in telecom sector, Mr Yechuri said, "indeed this illegal practice must end, it amounts to Hawala."

"We should not legalise the illegal flow of the foreign capital in this fashion." (UNI)

De-induction of troops begins

SRINAGAR, Nov 17: Coinciding with the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Army today began reduction of troops in Kashmir moving the first column out from Anantnag district.

"The first column of troops moved out of Anantnag at 8.00 am," Brigadier General Staff of Srinagar-based 15 corps of the Army, J S Kataria said.

Around 3,000 personnel (around two and a half battalion) are scheduled to be de-inducted today from Sharifabad in Srinagar and Awantipura in Pulwama districts, Defence sources said.

However, Kataria said "we cannot give any further details on this de-induction process at the moment as it is a matter of military operations."

The Prime Minister, who had announced troops reduction last week, began his two-day visit to the State this morning. (PTI)

Formal proposals after debate: Pak

ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: Pakistan has said it was "minutely" examining the response to President Pervez Musharraf’s formulation to resolve the Kashmir issue and would go by public opinion while chalking out the formal proposals.

A solution to the Kashmir issue has to be evolved that satisfied India, Pakistan and Kashmiris, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri told reporters in Lahore yesterday, reacting to External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh’s remarks that India would certainly look into Musharraf’s formulation if it is made formally.

Kasuri said his Government was currently "minutely" examining the response to Musharraf’s proposals and would go by the public opinion.

Denying any U turn on Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir, he said Islamabad has a clear and principled stance on the issue, and the proposals acceptable to the Kashmiris would be submitted during the composite dialogue with India.

"We want peace with honour as durable peace based on honour is essential for the region," he was quoted as saying by the media here.

Kasuri said Musharraf did not submit any concrete proposals regarding the issue but only suggested a debate on his options to divide Kashmir into seven regions on both sides of LoC, demilitarise them and change their status.

Kasuri said the final proposals would be submitted after taking Kashmiris into confidence. Only those proposals would be result-oriented which were acceptable to the Kashmiris as both India and Pakistan could resolve the issue but if that was not acceptable to Kashmiris, such a dialogue would not be fruitful, he said.

Kasuri’s comments that Pakistan was yet to formulate its proposals on Kashmir was in variance to his earlier statement to BBC in which he said the proposals would be discussed during Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s visit to India.

While welcoming India’s decision to reduce the number of troops in Jammu and Kashmir, Kasuri said Pakistan wanted Hurriyat leaders to be permitted to visit Islamabad for talks.

Similarly India can talk to any Kashmiri leaders based in Pakistan, he said, adding that when Kashmiris on both sides meet, they would come out with some viable solution.

"There is no need to worry as Pakistan’s stance is very clear and it has invited Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, former deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and the Communists to increase interaction between the two countries," he said.

Referring to Musharraf’s formulation, he said the objective of his proposals was to start a public debate.

On differences between the two countries to run the bus services connecting the two sides of Kashmir, Kasuri said it was the wish of the Kashmiris that they would not use passport for travelling.

Kasuri said that in the forthcoming tour of Aziz to India, he would discuss the issues, including Kashmir and the next SAARC summit in Dhaka.

Kasuri also said that Pakistan opposed the idea of increasing the number of permanent seats in the UN Security Council, for which India along with Germany, Japan and Brazil has staked claim.

Conferring the veto-power status on more countries would not serve any purpose, he said, adding the UN should be reformed in a manner that regions get a better representation, with the General Assembly having more powers. (PTI)

Pak awaits India's response

ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: Pakistan has proposed December 21 and 22 as dates for the Foreign Secretary-level talks to discuss Kashmir and other contentious issues under the second round of composite dialogue process and awaited India’s response in this regard.

"Pakistan has proposed December 21 and 22 for the Foreign Secretary-level talks to India," and Indian response is awaited, local daily `Dawn’ quoted foreign office spokesman Masood Khan as saying.

Khan said the Foreign Secretary-level talks would primarily focus on Jammu and Kashmir, peace and security and the calendar of meetings for six other subjects under the composite dialogue process.

The other six subjects, included Siachen, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, Sir Creek, terrorism and drug trafficking, economic and commercial cooperation, and promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields.

Asked if Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would formally discuss the proposals floated by President Pervez Musharraf for resolution of Kashmir issue with the Indian leadership during his visit to New Delhi next week, Khan said: "This (next week’s visit) would be his first visit. He would touch base with the Indian leadership." (PTI)

BJP cautions against laxity in J&K

NEW DELHI, Nov 17: The Bharatiya Janata Party today welcomed the peace process initiated by the United Progressive Alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, but cautioned against any laxity while dealing with terrorism and secessionist forces in the State.

"We support all process to establish peace in the strife-torn Kashmir, but there should be no lowering of guards against terrorism," party general secretary Arun Jaitley said.

Referring to the unilateral announcement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding reduction of troops in the State, he said this matter should have been left to the security agencies as this exercise was done keeping in view the threat perception.

Any reduction of forces or let up in the vigil against the secessionist forces would not only cost the country dearly, but also lead to more killings of innocent lives, Mr Jaitley said.

He said five persons had been killed yesterday in the Valley, while there was an encounter near the venue of the Prime Minister’s function. He hoped the Government would keep its eyes open to such incidents. (UNI)

Hurriyat executive to meet today

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 17: The Executive Council (EC) of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (Umar) is meeting tomorrow to debate over the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s speech here.

"We will react to Dr Singh’s speech only after the EC members, highest decision making body of the HC, meets at its Rajbagh headquarters here tomorrow," chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq said.

"We have heard the public speech of Dr Singh but did not find answer to our proposal to allow the HC leaders to visit Pakistan before holding the third round of talks with the Centre," he said.

Mirwaiz Umar said the EC committee members besides holding deliberation on Dr Singh’s speech will also discuss other matters of the amalgam.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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