Srinagar: Claiming the United States was facilitating the peace process between India and Pakistan for resolving Kashmir issue, Hurriyat Conference (Ansari) today (Jan 16, 2004) said next week's talks between the outfit and the Centre were a testing ground of New Delhi's sincerity in solving the problem.

"We will go to Delhi in a couple of days and have a chance to see the sincerity of Government of India on resolving Kashmir issue," former Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told a Friday congregation in Srinagar.

"We will talk to Government and put forth our case. We have a strong case to plead for resolution of Kashmir issue," said Mirwaiz, a member of the Hurriyat delegation to hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani.

He said during his recent visit to Delhi, a high-level US delegation met him and informed him about Washington's efforts to improve relations between India and Pakistan for creating a conducive atmosphere for talks.

"I was shown a report on how the US will facilitate talks between India and Pakistan. And believe me, the process is progressing exactly along those lines," Mirwaiz said.

He said he was assured by the delegation that wishes and aspiration of the people would not be ignored.

Describing the recent developments as positive, Mirwaiz said the talks were a chance to resolve the Kashmir issue with "honour and dignity and put an end to bloodshed in the State".