Pak. wants quick decision on documents for APHC leaders

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 12 Pakistan today once again sought to remind New Delhi that ``procrastination'' on its part in the issuance of travel documents to the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to travel to Islamabad could damage the ``opportunity'' to seriously address the Kashmir dispute.

The spokesman of the Pakistan Foreign Office told a news conference here that while Islamabad had no information about India's intentions on issuance of travel documents to the APHC leaders, it would like a decision on the issue without any further loss of time.

At the same time, the spokesman emphasised that delay or loss of opportunity to resolve the Kashmir conflict through involvement of the APHC delegation would not alter the imperative of a just solution or the need to de-escalate tension in the region.

The ``inordinate delay'' on the part of India in facilitating the journey of the Hurriyat leaders to Islamabad has been the theme song of Pakistan in the last few weeks. The Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, and the Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, on several occasions in the last few days had repeatedly talked about it and made it clear that further progress in the peace process was linked to the APHC visit.

The spokesman argued that it was universally recognised that Kashmir was the source of tension in the region and the world community had consistently demanded resolution of the issue through the process of dialogue and negotiations. ``We believe that Kashmiris should be involved in the dialogue process.''

He said the hesitation on the part of the Indian Government in enabling the APHC delegation to travel to Pakistan for discussions on the Kashmir tangle was a reflection of the ``familiar Indian intransigence.'' In response to another question, he said the Indian Government's decision to release Pakistani fishermen from Indian jails was a `good gesture' and the Pakistan Government was in touch with the Indian authorities on the release of the remaining fishermen in the jails.

Asked for Pakistan's response to media reports about the supposed advice of the Indian military against any further extension of the ceasefire, the spokesman said the declaration extending the dates for suspension of combat operations by itself was not an indication of a positive change in the attitude of the Indian Government.

``Ceasefire in itself cannot be an objective. The ultimate objective has to be resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Even according to the statements of the APHC, the combat operations by Indian security forces are continuing. There are reports of custodial killings and other atrocities,'' he said.

The spokesman argued that in the perception of Pakistan, India would be seen moving towards seizing the opportunity to address the Kashmir tangle if it responded positively to the December 2 formulation made by his country. He said resumption of dialogue and consultations with APHC was part of the formulation.

To a question, he said the allegations of ``cross- border terrorism'' were familiar and a mere pretext that India had been using to continue its ``military effort'' to suppress Kashmiris.

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