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Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference on May 4 lauded Prime Minister's initiative to improve relations with Pakistan, saying Atal Behari Vajpayee was serious about leaving a lasting impression on world history by resolving the Kashmir issue.

Vajpayee, who extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan and followed it up by announcing confidence- building measures with the neighbouring country in Parliament, is serious about leaving a lasting impression on global history by attempting to resolve the long-pending Kashmir issue, Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat said.

Bhat said though attempts to normalise relations with Pakistan and talk over the core issue of Kashmir were made earlier also, Vajpayee's latest attempt at it seems to be more determined as it could be his last term as Prime Minister.

"He (PM) has himself acknowledged that this would be his last talks ... I am sure he would want to be remembered for a long time to come and that can be ensured by resolving the Kashmir dispute," he said.

The Hurriyat chairman said the confidence-building measures announced by the Centre would help ease the tension between the two South Asian nuclear rivals which would pave way for a dialogue process to resolve the issue. Sending a High Commissioner to Islamabad will ease the tension between the two countries and help in building confidence for talks to begin, he added.

PTI