Srinagar: Most separatist outfits of Jammu and Kashmir, including both factions of Hurriyat Conference, today (Dec 19, 2003) welcomed Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's preparedness to find a solution to Kashmir issue outside the UN resolutions and asked India to respond positively to the "golden opportunity" in the "flexibility" shown by Islamabad.

"We welcome the statement of Musharraf as it shows Islamabad's flexibility in resolving Kashmir issue. His statement is a vindication of our stand that talks have to be between India, Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir who form the principle party to the dispute," Hurriyat chairman Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari said.

However, he added that India or Pakistan could not withdraw from the UN resolutions passed by the Security Council as they were "in favour of people of Jammu and Kashmir".

"The UN resolutions provide the right to plebiscite to people of Jammu and Kashmir and only they can decide whether to withdraw or not," Ansari said.

Reacting cautiously, chairman of the rebel faction of Hurriyat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, said, "Pakistan has not stepped down from its stand on Kashmir issue but shown flexibility in an effort to find a permanent and durable solution to Kashmir issue."

"Now, it depends on Government of India whether it is sincere in finding a solution ... if it is, it will respond positively," he added.

Geelani said Musharraf's statement did not render the UN resolutions obsolete as "they will come up for discussion when the talks between New Delhi and Islamabad begin".

Ansari asked India and Pakistan to start the dialogue process involving people of the State with "a sense of urgency" to put to rest the long dispute.

"They should start the dialogue process with a sense of urgency. The talks should be focussed on resolving Kashmir issue," he said, adding the two countries could also talk about other bilateral issues but Hurriyat was not interested in trade and commerce.

President of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah said Musharraf's proposal to New Delhi was a step in the positive direction in resoultion of Kashmir issue.

"It is a major policy statement by the Pakistan President... in the post-Sept 11 scenario, he has been saying that he was willing to talk to India on any issue including Kashmir at any forum and at any level," Shah said.

He said India should respond positively to Musharraf's offer and not waste the "golden opportunity" to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"The ball is in the court of Government of India. So far, initiatives taken by India as well as Pakistan have met with positive response from other side. It should be repeated this time as well," he said.

Shah said he was not expecting miracles from the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co- operation) Summit to be held in Islamabad early next year but "a positive direction has been given to peace process and we are hopeful it will ultimately lead to durable peace in the region".

PTI

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