'Contacts with Hurriyat do exist'

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, MAY 10. Claiming that an informal channel did exist between the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and the Government of India for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute, the Peoples Democratic Party chief, Mr. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, said here today that there was a real change in the perception of the BJP-led Government.

Mr. Sayeed, who has been a strong advocate of a dialogue with the militants, told a news conference that his stand had now been vindicated. ``These developments are not a fluke, but a real change based on the inputs received by different agencies about the ground situation in the State``, he said and denied that his revelation was based on media reports. He insisted that ''this is an inside story``, but clarified that he was not playing any role.

``The Government of India has realised that a bullet- for-a- bullet policy would not yield any result. This is a vindication of our stand which we have been pressing for the last four years and which, in fact, was our election manifesto'', Mr. Mufti said.

Criticising the BJP Government's pro-active policy, Mr. Sayeed said it had proved counter-productive and increased the people's alienation. ``They had a perception that Kashmiris will be compelled to hoist the white flag. But people here want peace with dignity and they (the BJP) have realised it'', he said.

The Mufti was optimistic about an invitation to the Hurriyat leaders for the dialogue. ``For some more time, it will be more informal than formal,'' he said. Asked whether the militants would approve the Hurriyat stand, he said ``I think it is obvious that the Hurriyat is the over-ground political front of the militants. The change in the perception of Pakistan, he said, was also positive. ``The conditions that compelled Mr. Nawaz Sharif for according a warm welcome to the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, during the Lahore process were again compelling the Gen. Musharraf now for taking similar steps. That is why they are not averse to the proposed talks between the APHC and the Indian Government'', he said.

Asked about the statement of the Union Home Minister, Mr.L.K. Advani on the BJP's stand that talks had to be held within the constitutional framework, he said, ``it is public posturing but the reality is otherwise''.

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