The Hindu : Peace cannot be evaded, says Farooq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 15, 2003

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Peace cannot be evaded, says Farooq

By Our Staff Reporter

Jammu June 14. The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, told presspersons here today that peace cannot be evaded in the subcontinent as India and Pakistan have emerged as the key players in the war against terrorism. He said, " times have changed and there is a chance of peace coming back to the State as both India and Pakistan have joined in the war against terrorism." Terming the Centre's interlocutor, N.N. Vohra's mission as different from the past initiatives by the Central Government, he said, " this was an effort having characteristics which were vastly different from the past and was a step to bring about peace in the State."

Earlier, the interlocutors had a limited purpose and agenda but now they were meeting the people from all three regions of the State and thereby it would help in solving the problems, he said.

On the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee's initiative to normalise relations between India and Pakistan, he said, "this was a serious effort but much would depend on the election whether or not the Prime Minister would be able to carry forward his mission of peace."

He charged the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's Government with indulging in witch hunting. he said, " the State Government was working to embarrass the National Conference at various levels."

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