Date:02/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/02/stories/2006050204431000.htm

National

Mirwaiz to lead team for talks with Manmohan

Shujaat Bukhari

The focus is on finding ways to resolve Kashmir issue

SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference's moderate faction, will lead a five-member delegation scheduled to hold the second round of talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday.

After a marathon meeting of the Hurriyat executive, the Mirwaiz told reporters on Monday that the conglomerate would not participate in the second round table conference if "it is crowded again like the first one."

Part of dialogue process

He said the May 3 talks had no connection with the round table scheduled in Srinagar in the last week of this month. "The second round of talks is part of the dialogue process we are involved with both Governments of India and Pakistan for quite some time now. It has nothing to do with the round table conference."

"We will not be going with a list of demands. Our talks will focus on finding the ways to resolve Kashmir issue."

Demilitarisation

Stating that his alliance would press the Indian and Pakistani Governments for demilitarisation on both sides of the ceasefire line, the Mirwaiz said it would be the biggest confidence-building measure. He said this could be done in a phased manner.