Washington: The only United States think tank here, which has an exclusive program on confidence building measures (CBMs) in South Asia has called on New Delhi to seize the moment in Kashmir in the wake of the pro-Pakistan militant group Hizbul Mujahideen's unilateral ceasefire.

In a South Asia News Advistory issued here on Thursday, The Henry L. Stimson Center which is headed by Michael Krepon, a noted specialist on the subcontinent, "Any ray of light in these difficult circumstances (in Jammu and Kashmir) are to be welcomed.

The Stimson Center advisory acknowledged that "it is obviously not possible to judge at this time whether the Hizbul Mujahideen's offer is genuine or not. (But)It is clear, however, that it is in the interest of all parties to act on the possibility that the offer is genuine and to build upon it."

The think tank complained, "The entrenched positions of the militant groups, the Government of India, the Government of Pakistan, and the Hurriyat leadership, have not led to a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute."

Thus, it said, "A rethinking of long held positions is essential and long overdue."

The advisory noted, "For every well armed, highly motivated militant that crosses the Line of Control, there are approximately 10 Indian security forces."

It warned that "a continuation of the Jehad will result in a continuation of human rights abuses in Kashmir. A suspension of the Jehad and the cessation of human rights abuses are essential elements for creative solutions."

The Stimson Center also said, "One positive approach worthy of consideration would have the Hurriyat leadership publicly call for other Jehadist groups to join the Hizbul Mujahideen in suspending their operation for a three months period."

"At the same time," it said, "the Hurriyat leadership could call publicly for the Government of India to immediately adopt concrete measures for the cessation of human rights abuses."

Meanwhile, the Stimson advisory said, "the Government of Pakistan might consider a public endorsement of the suspension of Jehad for three months with concomitant actions to suspend material and military support for Jehadist operations."

"For its part, the Government of India might consider public declarations of specific steps to alleviate the burdens under which Kashmiris now live on a daily basis," it said.

According to the Stimson Center, "Creative solutions to the tragedy of Kashmir require positive steps by all parties in the next few days."

Meanwhile, the Kashmiri American Council (KAC), the leading lobbying group here that espouses independence for Kashmir and is considered the Hurriyat's representatives in Washington, also hailed the ceasefire announcement and urged reciprocity by India, "namely, ending its gruesome campaign of human rights violations, cessation of offensive military action and a substantial reduction in Indian troops from its mammoth 700,000 presence, the release of political prisoners, the free movement of Kashmiris for peaceful advocation of self-determination cause, and trilateral unconditional negotiations over between representatives of all shades of Kashmiri opinion, India and Pakistan mediated by a trustworthy person of international stature, like (former) President (Nelson) Mandela" of South Africa.

The KAC in its statement issued by its executive director, Dr Ghulam Nbi Fai, also voiced pleasure over India's characterization of the ceasefire as a positive sign, but regretted "its continuing insistence that negotiations must be within the Indian Constitution."

Fai said, "Such a pre-condition creates an insurmountable obstacle to success, as would be the case if Israel refused even to negotiate with the Palestinian authority over the future of the West Bank and Gaza."