Ceasefire received well in U.S.

By Shujaat Bukhari

WASHINGTON, MARCH 20. Notwithstanding the unabated violence in Kashmir claiming more and more civilian lives, the unilateral ceasefire announced by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, is seen as a move in the right direction in the U.S. Though the State Department policies are yet to see any formulation in the absence of no permanent appointees in key positions as yet, the international response to the initiative has strengthened India's position as a peace-loving nation.

The absence of a serious follow-up to the peace initiative in Kashmir has been relegated to the background, and the impression among the think-tanks is that the steps taken by the Vajpayee Government are fairly bold. The extension of the ceasefire has further increased Mr. Vajpayee's image. The official view is certainly in India's favour and Pakistan is still seen as a non- serious player, taking no initiative to rein in the `jehadi' groups.

For those who are responsible for South Asia in the Bush administration, an end to tension on Indo-Pakistan border is in itself a big leap forward which could lead to a re-opening of the stalled dialogue between the countries. Though concerned about the loss of life of civilians in Kashmir, the officials feel that the extended ceasefire may push ahead the process towards lasting peace in the region resulting in a settlement on Kashmir.

A significant factor is the echoing of the recent statement of the U.N. Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, who lay stress on the Lahore Declaration. Since India is committed to this declaration, it certainly could open ways for a peaceful settlement, said a top official in the U.S. State Department.

Other issues such as non-proliferation and essentially better U.S.-India economic ties have since overshadowed Kashmir. ``It is essentially a bilateral issue'' said the official, but did not rule out a role for the U.S. if asked by both countries. ``Unless both parties want a third party role there is no such role for us'' he said. The U.S. did not support any particular solution to Kashmir. Even as things would crystallise in the coming months as the appointments at the top-level are finalised, there is a general trend in favour of India, which even the supporters of Pakistan admit.

The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh's proposed visit to the U.S. in early April is seen to be significant. ``It is a fact that during the senior Bush regime the tilt was towards Pakistan but the situation in South Asia, particularly after the nuclear tests in 1998, has changed much'' said a member of a Washington-based think-tank on foreign policy.

The bottom-line at a symposium organised here by the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), the foreign policy institute at Johns Hopkins University, was no different. The need for strengthening relations between India and Pakistan was stressed there.

As for Kashmiris who are actively involved in

their efforts to mould opinion of the new U.S. administration, Kashmir has to figure in their agenda. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, executive director of Kashmiri American Council (KAC) which works in tandem with the All-Party Hurriyat Conference admits that Mr. Vajpayee's peace moves have succeeded. However, he says that the sense which had developed earlier is fading away in the absence of a political follow-up. ``It has to be supplemented by a comprehensive process including the visit of the Hurriyat leaders to Pakistan.'' Dr. Fai said there could be gradual talks.

In another development, the senior Hurriyat leader and JKLF chairman, Mr. Yaseen Malik, who arrived in the U.S. on March 11 is touring most parts of the country to mobilise support on Kashmir. Mr. Malik, who has been granted a U.S. and U.K.-specific passport, is being admitted for treatment to heart ailment in Washington and will visit the U.K. later in April.

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