Peace-talk progress slow in Kashmir

The separatist movement says peace could return to Kashmir

By CNN's Mukhtar Ahmad

SRINAGAR, Kashmir -- Kashmir's separatist political movement has yet to accept an offer to resume dialogue with the Indian government, stalling progress on talks over the disputed region.

Kashmir's All Parties Huriyat Conference (APHC) decided to 'consult its working committee and general council' over the talks offer.

With sharp differences existing between hawks and doves within the separatist camp, the decision to defer the Indian dialogue offer to a working committee and general council is being seen locally as a time-buying exercise.

But the decision still marked a significant moment in talks over the future of Kashmir, being the first time since 1993 the APHC executive had referred any talks offer to its working committee and general council.

The latest decision came after a five-hour executive committee meeting of the separatist's executive in the Kashmir capital Tuesday.

APHC chairman Professor Abdul Gani Bhat confirmed that they have received a formal letter from Indian negotiator K.C. Pant inviting them for a dialogue.

The working committee meeting has been scheduled for Saturday while the general council shall meet some days later.

"We shall be formulating our response to the Indian offer for unconditional talks after that," said Prof. Bhat.

"The moment the Kashmir issue is resolved, peace will automatically return not only to Kashmir but to whole Indian sub-continent. And it will be resolved only when all the three parties, India, Pakistan and People of Kashmir are involved in the negotiations," Prof. Bhat told CNN.

He described the initial round of talks between the government negotiator K.C.Pant and former chief minister Syed Mir Qasim as "a formality of no consequence".

APHC chairman Bhat added that there "was no controversy within the separatist conglomerate" regarding the senior pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, whose recent statements widened differences between hardliners and moderates within the APHC.

Hope for Kashmir peace talks deadlock
April 15, 2001
Kashmir attackers kill four
April 14, 2001
Pakistan to keep backing Kashmir revolt
March 23, 2001

India Prime Minister's Office
Jammu-Kashmir homepage

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.