Geelani visit sparks speculation

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 13. The senior Hurriyat leader, Syed Ahmed Shah Geelani, arrived in the capital here today, triggering speculation whether he was the advance party of the APHC delegation which is scheduled to visit Pakistan on January 15. The Government of India is yet to take a final view whether or not to issue passports to two of the five members of the proposed Hurriyat team.

However, it was being stated that Mr. Geelani arrived here because he wanted to be medically examined.It was learnt that he had been advised a few days rest, again raising a question mark whether the Hurriyat leadership itself was preparing ground for a delay by a day or two in travelling to Pakistan.

On the other hand, Mr. Abdul Gani Lone, who has been camping here for a few days (again, for a medical check-up) and who has been named as part of the five-member delegation, is planning to leave for Srinagar tomorrow.

Mr. Lone had earlier announced his disinclination to visit Pakistan as part of the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) team.

A mood of pessimism prevails in the Hurriyat camp here. The APHC leaders believe the Government of India is not ``sincere'' in its ``peace-offensive''; otherwise why would the Union Home Ministry keep trying to dictate terms to the APHC.

This attitude is ``an insult to the Hurriyat'', according to a senior leader.

The decision on whether or not to let Syed Geelani and Sheikh Aziz travel to Pakistan would be taken by the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, when he returns on Sunday from his visit to Vietnam and Indonesia. The Government appears to be divided on the issue, as the apprehension is that Pakistan would go out of its way to project Syed Geelani as the most authentic voice of the Hurriyat; this may not be much appreciated by others like Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Mr. Yaseen Malik or even by Mr. Lone.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bhushan Bazaz, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum and a political mentor to the Mirwaiz, has issued a statement demanding that the Centre should issue passports to the APHC delegation. ``The Centre showed its positive attitude by declaring unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir and then extending it. It should continue to show that attitude and issue passports to all the five Hurriyat leaders.''

UNI reports from Srinagar:

The APHC Chairman, Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat, today said they were ready to accept ``extension by a day or two'' of the January 15 date, set for their team to leave for Pakistan for talks on Kashmir.

He said they were yet to receive a communication from the Government of India. ``We can understand that Saturday and Sunday being off days in the Government departments, the Centre can make available travel documents to the Hurriyat delegation only by Monday.''

Asked whether he would visit Pakistan on a later date, he said ``yes, I will. If all goes well, the Hurriyat leaders will have to travel extensively between New Delhi and Islamabad till a lasting and peaceful solution to this 50-year problem is found.''

About the statement of the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, that the Government would take an independent decision on giving passports, he said the Hurriyat had nominated its delegation and ``now the ball is in the Centre's court. They have to decide on it.''

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