The Hindu : Let's face realities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 31, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Let's face realities

Sir, — The confrontation between India and Pakistan ever since Partition has been due to the Kashmir problem. Indonesia has allowed the formation of a new separate country, East Timor, which has a Christian majority, though the total population of the new country is only eight lakhs. Indonesia has the Bali Island with a Hindu majority population, but the island will continue to be with Indonesia, just as the Sikh majority East Punjab continues to be with India. India has to accept the Kashmir problem as the key issue. Let us not be blind to realities. Once it is solved, India and Pakistan can live in peace and spend scarce resources in the alleviation of poverty. Bilateral talks must be initiated with Kashmir as the main agenda. If both the countries are unable to come to an agreement, the United Nations must be allowed to step in to ascertain the wishes of the people in the Kashmir Valley, Jammu, Ladakh and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Each of the four areas must be allowed to determine by vote to choose between three options: (i) to be independent, (ii) to be part of India and (iii) to be part of Pakistan.

War between India and Pakistan will not serve either country. Only the prosperous West will profit by selling weapons. Let India and Pakistan live in peace. If not as brothers, at least as friends.

Dr. A. Krishnamurti,
Tenkasi, T.N.

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