Tuesday, January 3 2006 15:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Observing that various proposals for resolving the Kashmir problem were in the 'embryonic stage', Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said the UN resolutions on the vexed issue could be a basis for its resolution.

Farooq, who is on a visit to Pakistan, also said in Lahore yesterday (Jan 2, 2006) that no solution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue that maintained status quo or divided the state is acceptable to the Hurriyat.

"The issue (Kashmir) involves 14 million people. We'll accept only that solution which encompasses the entire state. We want to find out a durable solution to the problem in consultation with the leadership of 'Azad' Kashmir. The strategy we formulate will be presented to the governments of India and Pakistan," Farooq, heading a three-member delegation, told reporters.

On the proposals of demilitarization, self-rule and "United States of Kashmir", he said they were all ideas and were still in their 'embryonic stage.'

"We have not still spoken to New Delhi or Islamabad on the proposals but we'll do so shortly. I hope the leadership in Jammu and Kashmir and 'Azad Kashmir' will soon discuss the options," he said.

To another query, he said the UN resolutions on Kashmir offered only a legal justification to the Kashmir problem, adding though the world body had failed to discharge its responsibilities yet its resolutions on Kashmir could provide a basis for a solution on the issue.

India considers the UN resolutions on Kashmir obsolete.

The separatist leader, who is here to visit the earthquake-battered Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to express solidarity with the survivors, said the Kashmir problem has become a human issue following the October 8 tragedy.

"This is no longer a political dispute," he said.

He also criticized, what he claimed a 'tedious' procedure adopted by the Indian Government for issuance of travel documents.

"I don't think more than 40-50 people have used these five points for travel because of intransigence of New Delhi. It takes the Indian Government months to issue travel documents to those who wish to go to 'Azad Kashmir' from any one of these points," he said.

Farooq, who is accompanied on his week-long visit by other Hurriyat leaders Abdul Ghani Bhat and Bilal Lone, would also meet President Pervez Musharraf and discuss with him the recent proposals mooted by him about the complete demilitarisation of Kashmir.