'Kashmir struggle not terrorism'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, SEPT. 25. The Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, today said his Government had made it clear to the world that the ``struggle in Occupied Kashmir was genuine.''

Gen. Musharraf was responding to a question from a group of political and religious leaders from Pak-Occupied Kashmir who met him here as part of his consultative process in the wake of the situation arising out of the September 11 terrorist attacks on American cities.

The President's remarks could be seen as some kind of an assurance by the military establishment to various parties and groups in Kashmir that it would not allow the international community to characterise the separatist groups' fight with Indian forces in Kashmir as ``terrorism.''

Gen. Musharraf told the PoK leaders that the people of Pakistan understood the complexities of the present situation and the Government was well aware of their sentiments about the country's integrity and solidarity.

``We will capitalise on these sentiments to make Pakistan stronger. Pakistan is passing through a very difficult phase. Our endeavour is to bring Pakistan out of this crisis, keeping intact the solidarity and integrity of the country,'' the President told the gathering.

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