Autonomy resolution within Constitution: PM

By Alok Mukherjee

NEW DELHI, JUNE 30. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today said the resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on the autonomy issue was within the framework of the Constitution and that the issue would be discussed by the Union Cabinet and further action on it would follow thereafter.

Addressing a press conference on board the aircraft during the return trip from Portugal, Mr. Vajpayee said he had only read about the resolution in newspapers. ``I will go back and consult my colleagues on this matter. Any further action would follow then.''

Asked about the likely nature of the ``action,'' the Prime Minister said a State Assembly had passed a resolution and sent it to the Centre. ``There are procedures to deal with such resolutions and these will be followed in this case too.'' He replied in the negative when asked whether the passage of the resolution was a ``breach of trust'' on the part of the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, but admitted that the latter had given the impression to him that the resolution would merely be placed in the House and debated. ``We were not informed that it would be put to vote and passed,'' he said.

Mr. Vajpayee did not think the passage of the resolution would have an adverse effect on other States saying Indian democracy was strong enough to take care of such demands. Pointing out that the passage of the resolution did not amount to secession, he said, ``don't be under any illusion that Jammu and Kashmir wants to secede from India.'' The Prime Minister confirmed that the on- going talks with various sections of the Kashmiri political spectrum, including the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, would continue.

U.N. seat

On the question of support to India's claim for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, he said there were indications that this issue would feature prominently at the millennium summit of the U.N. General Assembly in September.

During his discussions in Italy and Portugal, he had made it clear that India was not in favour of any ``quick-fix'' solution or any attempt to place the developing countries at a disadvantage. ``As you know, Portugal has supported out candidature for permanent membership of the Council,'' he said.

On the CTBT, the Prime Minister reiterated that efforts were on to achieve a national consensus.

On Pakistan, Mr. Vajpayee reiterated India's position that a favourable climate has to be created by Pakistan before any such dialogue can take place. ``We have made this point clear before many other countries that there is no point in talking to Pakistan unless the proper environment is created. Pakistan has not even honoured some of the agreements reached in the past. The new military Government has not said anything about the previous agreements. On the contrary they accept the Lahore Declaration but don't want to follow the Shimla Agreement. This practice of accepting one agreement and rejecting another is something we don't understand. It is just a public relations exercise,'' the Prime Minister said.

On economic issues, Mr. Vajpayee said the views of the developing countries on the World Trade Organisation agreement had been forcefully placed before the developed world and there was some endorsement of this position.

Asked about differences in the Cabinet on disinvestment of the public sector, Mr. Vajpayee said various viewpoints were discussed during all Cabinet meetings after which a collective decision was taken and implemented.

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