Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

`South Tyrol approach suits J&K'

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR APRIL 27. Stating that most modern peace agreements have been based on a sense of overwhelming international consensus as embodied in the South Tyrol Agreement, the International Centre for Initiative (ICPI) has called for accepting this as the basic framework while exploring solutions to the conflict in Jammu and Kashmir.

In its latest report, "Reshaping the Agenda in Kashmir'', the Mumbai-based ICPI made 15 recommendations for putting afoot a process of reconciliation and reconstruction in the violence-ridden State. Based on the ICPI's mission to Srinagar in August last year and Jammu in January this year, the report says that there should be acceptance of the territorial integrity of the existing States and offering of maximum guarantees to the minorities within them. "The only major peace process based on alterations in the existing borders of the State was the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.

It is essential that lessons are drawn from the human tragedy in the Balkans and the South Tyrol approach is strictly adhered to'', the report said adding "it is essential that the South Tyrol approach be accepted as the basic framework''. "Since every peace process is normally accompanied by spoiler violence, it is important that the pursuit of peace is not given up on account of continued acts of terrorism by some elements.'' The ICPI has also called for different tracks of dialogues between India and Pakistan, India and Kashmiri groups, the Jammu and Kashmir Government and Kashmiri groups, Hindu Pandits and Muslim communities in the State and also between the Kashmiri groups from both sides of the Line of Control.

Strongly recommending a peace process on the principle of commitment, the report says that the objective should be the victory of principles of peace and justice over the principles of terror and coercion. "Territorial and political solutions should be the instruments to aid these basic objectives,'' it says.

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