Swamy opposes talks

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JULY 30. The Janata Party president, Dr. Subramanian Swamy, today opposed ``unconditional talks'' with the Hizbul Mujahideen saying such a course would be detrimental to national integrity and communal harmony.

Talking to reporters here, he alleged that the talks were being proposed under pressure from the United States. ``The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, wants to enter into the good books of the U.S. prior to his visit there,'' he said.

Dr. Swamy also objected to the demand for more autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir saying it had once again raised doubts about the State being an integral part of the country.

While he was not against devolution of more economic powers to the States, he did not favour ``political autonomy'' for Jammu and Kashmir. Article 370 was only a ``temporary measure'', and it should remain ``only on paper''.

The Janata Party leader said he had urged the United Nations Secretary-General to send an international team to investigate anti-Christian atrocities in India in the last one year.

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