BJP cautious, Cong. sees hope

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI, DEC. 3. Though the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was somewhat cautious in its response today to Pakistan's offer of exercising ``maximum restraint'' on the Line of Control in Kashmir, the Opposition parties, particularly the Left and the Congress, view the offer as a ``positive development'' which could be used to start ``parallel talks'' with Pakistan even as India goes ahead to develop its offer of talks with militant groups in Kashmir.

In fact, several Kashmiri leaders are here - Mr. Abdul Ghani Bhat, chairman of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, former chairman, flew in today; Mr. Yaseen Malik, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman, was already here, and Mr. Abdul Ghani Lone, another senior Hurriyat leader, is expected back from Pakistan in the next few days. Some ``informal-level'' contacts are expected to take place.

The APHC has already welcomed Pakistan's offer as a ``step in the right direction'' and hoped India would ``reciprocate'' and ``take more bold steps'' such as its unilateral ceasefire offer to help start a political dialogue and find a solution to the Kashmir problem. Separately, Dr. Farooq Abdullah told PTI in New Delhi that ``we have kept our doors open for anyone who wishes to restore peace in the Valley'', and that ``insaniyat (humanitarianism)'' would be the guiding principle.

Though it is being admitted that there is nothing new in Pakistan's offer of ``restraint'' along the LoC and that Pakistan had not addressed the basic issue of cross-border terrorism, a view seems to be developing that however small the window Pakistan has opened, India should seize the opportunity to look for restarting the derailed dialogue. Mr. Bangaru Laxman, BJP president, told The Hindu that in addition to ``restraint on the LoC'' Pakistan should also ``pave the way for a dialogue with India by ordering cessation of cross-border terrorism. If that were to happen, I do not think India would have any objection to talks with Pakistan under the Shimla Agreement or the Lahore Declaration,'' he said.

Mr. Jana Krishnamurthi, party vice-president, similarly emphasised the need to end cross-border terrorism. ``We have always adopted a defensive posture on the LoC. To that extent the offer of restraint by Pakistan is meaningless,'' However, he was hopeful that the next couple of days should see ``some clarifications from Pakistan, if they are serious''.

The Left and the Congress feel that along with informal contacts with militant groups in the Valley, the Government should make attempts to start ``parallel talks'' with Pakistan ``at some level''. Mr. Natwar Singh, party leader and former External Affairs Minister, said, ``The Pakistan offer is to be welcomed. We should look at it with an unprejudiced mind. We made a gesture, they have responded. This could lead to talks which could be held under the Shimla Agreement.'' But ``tripartite talks'' between India, Pakistan and Kashmiri militant groups ``were out of the question''.

Mr. A.B. Bardhan, CPI general secretary, saw in the Pakistan response a ``process of inching forward towards talks''. The Centre's reaction should be positive and the opportunity ``should not be rejected out of hand''. Mr. Prakash Karat, CPI(M) politburo member, was of the view that at ``some level'' talks with Pakistan would have to begin. It was time India ``spelt out its political approach to the problem.''

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