Cabinet to discuss talks with militants

By Harish Khare

NEW DELHI, JULY 30. The Union Cabinet is likely to discuss on Tuesday the proposed dialogue with the militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir. It is only after this discussion that the incipient Kashmir diplomacy can be presumed to have the collective endorsement of the Vajpayee Government. For now, there is considerable confusion about the ``within the framework'' of the Constitution format.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, met the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, and publicly endorsed the Centre's decision to hold a dialogue with the Hizbul Mujahideen. The security forces have announced a decision to reciprocate the Hizbul declaration of a three-month ceasefire. Dr. Abdullah's discussion with Mr. Advani is part of the conscious decision to keep the Chief Minister informed and involved at every stage of the evolving situation in the Kashmir Valley.

After his consultation with the Home Minister, the Chief Minister left for Srinagar. Before leaving, he told reporters that the ``ceasefire offer should come from all the militant groups in order to bring peace in the Valley. Pakistan should encourage other militant outfits such as the Harkat-ul- Ansar and the Lashkar-e-Taiba to shun the path of violence and resort to peaceful means as this would help in holding of a dialogue between the two countries.''

Confusion over talks format

The Chief Minister's endorsement of the ``dialogue process'' notwithstanding, there appears to be considerable confusion within the Vajpayee Government. For instance, on Saturday, a ranking member of the Vajpayee Government informally told a number of senior journalists that it was part of the strategy to keep quiet about the ``dialogue within the framework of the Constitution'' caveat.

But within hours the same official found himself constrained to tell a television channel that there could be no dialogue outside the framework of the Constitution. This assertion has been picked up by the Hizbul Mujahideen to demand a clarification.

Was this reflective of pressures and counter-pressures within the National Democratic Alliance Government or a structured vagueness? It is suggested, in some quarters, that no representative of the Government of India can legally enter into any kind of discussion ``outside the constitutional framework''; on the other hand, non-official interlocutors - and there are many, though none with any governmental mandate - need not necessarily get hobbled by the ``Indian constitution'' framework.

In the light of considerable confusion about the Government's thinking, the expectation is that during the course of his intervention in the on-going discussion in the Lok Sabha on the ``autonomy resolution'', the Home Minister would be able to clarify the matter. Given his own party's 40-year old frozen position on the nature and solution of the ``Kashmir problem'', Mr. Advani will have a difficult task on his hand.

Demand on `outside' help

Not only the BJP, the Left parties are also going to demand an assurance that there be no ``outside'' interference (read American); for the public consumption, the Vajpayee establishment would have to keep on denying any American role, whereas no breakthrough is likely to come about without Washington's blessings.

The strategy, for now, is to create conditions of ``peace'' (which means a cessation of hostilities on both sides, the militant groups as well as the security forces) before there could be progress in any dialogue. The success of such a strategy necessarily hinges on the Vajpayee establishment's capacity to convey to all the interested players - in and out of the Valley - that it had the requisite domestic political support to sustain this process of peace.

Talks will be unconditional: Abdullah

Dr. Abdullah told Star News tonight that the proposed talks between the Centre and the Hizbul Mujahideen would be unconditional, but ruled out a solution outside the Indian Constitution.

``As far as the talks are concerned, they are going to be totally unconditional. That is going to be the beginning point,'' he said.

By insisting on talks within the constitutional framework, the Government would only block the talks, he said.

None of the parties, including the Centre, knew what they were going to talk about and what the final outcome would be, he said. Asked whether a solution would be worked out within the Constitution in view of the Hizbul's demand for `azadi', he said ``I don't see that happening''.

Pakistan was backing the talks initiative as the Hizbul was totally dependent on Islamabad, both monetarily and militarily.

He said Pakistan might ask other groups to join the talks if the initial dialogue with Hizbul went in the direction they wanted it to go. ``If the talks go in the other direction, Pakistan will continue with its games,'' he added.

Hizbul names 3-member team

MUZZAFARABAD, JULY 30. The Hizbul Mujahideen today named a three- member team which it would like to be present in the proposed negotiations between the Indian Government and ``Kashmiri leadership''.

The Hizbul spokesman, Mr. Kalim Siddiqui, told AFP that the group's top leader, Mr. Syed Salahuddin, named Mr. Ghulam Ali, Mr. Mushtaq Gillani and Mr. Mohammad Ali Saqib for the talks.

``There can be other people as well, but these three have raised the issue around the world and we want them in any negotiations between India and Kashmiri leadership,'' Mr. Siddiqui said.

`We want quick response'

In Islamabad, Mr. Salahuddin told PTI in an interview at his residence that India should facilitate a meeting of Hizbul leaders from both sides of the Line of Control to discuss modalities of the proposed talks.

``We need assurance from India that it is sincere to hold talks only on the Kashmir issue.'' He said his organisation would not set a deadline for getting a reply from India to its ceasefire offer, but New Delhi should immediately come up with a response.

Reacting sharply to other militant groups' attack on Hizbul for its offer, he said ``we are sorry for their short-sightedness. They are giving a sentimental reaction. After seeing the international reaction, they will also agree with our decision. We have let them watch and decide''.

Asked about the expulsion of the Hizbul from the United Jihad Council, an apex body of 14 militant outfits, Mr. Salahuddin said ``it doesn't matter. The HM has 90 per cent of the force in Kashmir and its contributions stood at 95 per cent''. Apparently referring to reports of division in the Hizbul on the ceasefire, he said it would not affect the outfit's organisational structure. Asked if the Hizbul decision was sudden, Mr. Salahuddin said it was made after detailed assessments.

On why the Hizbul did not consult other militant groups as well as the Hurriyat Conference leadership, he said ``I am sorry for that. There was a communication gap and contacts could not be made because of the prevailing situation''.

Asked if he would appeal to other groups to join hands, he said ``why should we ask them''. On holding talks with India, Mr. Salahuddin said the Hizbul would propose names of some people in the Hurriyat Conference and also those Kashmiris who are living outside Kashmir and Pakistan. ``The Hizbul will closely monitor the talks.''

Mr. Salahuddin dispelled the impression that there was any role of Pakistan and the United States in the ceasefire declaration. ``It is baseless and a disinformation,'' he said.

He said it was not the decision of an individual but of the Hizbul central command in accordance with its strategy.

- PTI

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