The Hindu : Pak. must be involved in talks: Hurriyat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 25, 2002

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Pak. must be involved in talks: Hurriyat

By Luv Puri

SRINAGAR MAY 24. The All Party Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Abdul Gani Bhat, today said the separatist conglomerate was ready to talk to India only if talks were held for a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue and that Pakistan should be included in any dialogue.

Speaking at a Rasm-e-Charam ceremony of the late Abdul Gani Lone, who was assassinated four days ago, Mr. Bhat said the Prime Minister was "fishing in the desert."

His rejection of involving Pakistan in a dialogue between separatist leaders and the Centre did not lead anywhere near the solution of Kashmir problem. The talks would lead to nowhere without Pakistan's involvement.

"We don't want a dialogue for pleasure's sake. We are freedom lovers and freedom lovers can never be terrorists," said Mr. Bhat adding that the terrorists could never throng in thousands to pay their homages to the slain leader.

Commenting on the economic packages announced by the Prime Minister during his visit to the State, Mr. Bhat said they did not need any package or money for constructing bridges or roads. "What we want is the resolution of Kashmir problem in which three parties to the dispute should sit together for the resolution."

The senior Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was also present, said that war was no solution for the Kashmir problem and that "war-mongering" should end soon. There was need for concentrating on basic issues.

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