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My stand vindicated: Mufti

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR May 3. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, said today that the recent peace initiatives by India and Pakistan following the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee's extending the hand of friendship had vindicated his stand that dialogue was the only way to solve problems.

"Whatever is happening is our vindication," he told mediapersons at a special function held to honour meritorious students at the Kashmir University here.

His stand that dialogue was the only answer and that `healing touch' the only strategy to address the Kashmir problem was proven to be correct. The "walls of hatred" between India and Pakistan were "collapsing" and there was much to do to improve bilateral relations.

Mr. Vajpayee's offer of friendship to Pakistan from the soil of Kashmir was "historic" as Kashmir was the bone of contention between the two countries.

He welcomed Pakistan's positive response to Mr. Vajpayee's offer and said confidence-building measures were being taken to take the process further. Asked if he favoured the inclusion of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference in Indo-Pak. dialogue, the Mufti said the talks would be held between the two countries.

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