The Hindu : The peace package

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 27, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

The peace package

Sir, — The confidence building measures announced by the Centre vis-a-vis Pakistan ( Oct. 23 ) are welcome. By agreeing to talk to the All Parties Hurriyat Conference at the level of the Deputy Prime Minister is also imaginative and the hope of a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue has improved. India should seize the initiative and enter talks with Pakistan unconditionally. Harping on an end to cross-border terrorism is no longer attractive. It is up to us to manage the terrorists.

D.B.N. Murthy,
Bangalore

* * *

Sir, — I refer to the editorial, "A bold initiative" ( Oct. 24 ). Pakistan now has its hands full with a slew of fresh proposals from India. It should accept them for two reasons; there is no alternative to living in peace and harmony; and the proposals are not one-sided but offer a win-win situation for both the countries.

Kangayam R. Rangaswamy,
Madison, Wisconsin

* * *

Sir, — The proposed talks with the Hurriyat is a wild goose chase but yet another worthwhile effort to promote peace in Kashmir. The vital issues to be addressed relate to externally sponsored terrorism and the right to self-determination. There is a limit to and an opportunity in the initiative.

Manianna S.Maniam,
Krishnapuram, A.P.

* * *

Sir, — Coming so soon after A.B. Vajpayee's call to Islamabad to vacate PoK, the rationale behind the peace package is puzzling. Is it a ploy to further isolate the already isolated military establishment? A dialogue with Pakistan will lead nowhere. Time has come to get back our land in PoK under illegal occupation for over 50 years. We have been paying a heavy price for our historical mistakes.

Air Cmde. (retd.) Raghubir Singh,
Pune

* * *

Sir, — That talks in the past have failed is no reason why there should be no summit-level talks again. Since both the countries have no alternative to living in harmony, Mr. Vajpayee and Pervez Musharraf should reach out to each other. They could even become models for the leaders of Israel and Palestine.

G. David Milton,

Kanyakumari, T.N.

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