Valley voices

Farooq Abdullah: I am happy that an invitation for talks has been extended to Gen. Pervez Musharraf. I hope it leads to better relations between India and Pakistan, which can result in a better future for Kashmir as well. I have always maintained that only India and Pakistan can hammer out a solution.

As for Mr. K. C. Pant's mission, it will certainly help in better understanding between the State and the Central leadership. As least the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has made efforts to find out the views of various section of the people in the State vis-a-vis the peace process.

Shabir Shah: It is a bold step by Mr. Vajpayee. Earlier they had put a condition of first ending cross-border terrorism now they have invited Gen. Musharraf and it is a new beginning which can open ways for a peaceful and amicable solution to the problem. Both Gen. Musharraf and Mr. Vajpayee have demonstrated their capability to think big and act big with ample doses of generosity.

Sending Mr. Pant to Kashmir is again a big step taken by the Prime Minister. Mr. Pant is a seasoned politician and he being the chief negotiator, the peace process can achieve something. But I have made it clear that a conducive atmosphere has to be created before a formal dialogue.

Abdul Gani Bhat: I have high regard for Mr. Vajpayee. The high level summit between him and Gen. Musharraf is a step forward. Both of them want to improve their relations and want to resolve the Kashmir issue. We have high hopes about this summit.

Mr. Pant's exercise has lost its substance and glamour too, if it had any, against the backdrop of the forthcoming Vajpayee- Musharraf talks. He (Pant) is trying to catch a fish in the desert. It is to build bridges where there are no rivers.

- S.B.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Opinion
Previous : Waiting for the General
Next     : U.P.: A pie up for grabs