London: Kashmiris settled in the United Kingdom have appealed to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and British Prime Minister Tony Blair to exert pressure on India to settle the Kashmiri dispute.

According to 'The News', a memorandum was presented to representatives of both Annan and Blair, in which an early solution to the Kashmir issue was sought in line with the UN resolutions of 1948 and 1949.

"Kashmiris urge you to use your good offices to exert moral, political and diplomatic pressure on the Indian government to fulfil its commitments to the people of Kashmir," said the All Parties Kashmir Co- ordinating Committee's memorandum.

The delegation, which presented the memorandum, comprised Dr Ayub Takhar, Muhammad Ghalib, Haji Nooruddin, Chaudhary Shahban, Maulana Bostan Qadri, Muhammad Yaqub Chishti and Shabbir Hussain.

In another memorandum submitted at 10 Downing Street, the British Prime Minister's official residence, the delegation reminded Blair that the dispute in Kashmir was a legacy of the erstwhile British Empire, and therefore, London needed to take appropriate initiatives to resolve it.

It said statements by British leaders, particularly "of yourself Mr Prime Minister, that the problem of Kashmir is the legacy of British Empire and that it should be settled in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people, have greatly heartened the masses of Kashmiri people.

"Kashmiri people would request you to urge India and Pakistan to let Kashmiri representatives participate in the forthcoming India-Pakistan dialogue."

ANI