E-Paper
Mirwaiz ready for 'Vajpayee-type' dialogue with Centre
While the meeting of separatists with Pakistan Prime Minister's adviser Sartaj Aziz in New Delhi was making headlines, in a parallel meeting with former chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), AS Dulat, moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq assured there was scope of dialogue with the government of India.
While the meeting of separatists with Pakistan Prime Minister's adviser Sartaj Aziz in New Delhi was making headlines, in a parallel meeting with former chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), AS Dulat, moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq assured there was scope of dialogue with the government of India.
The Mirwaiz who is chairperson of moderate faction of Hurriyat told Kashmir watchers that he was ready for a dialogue like the one initiated by Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. The former prime minister had emphasised on resolving the Kashmir issue "within the ambit of humanity".
Dulat is a former interlocutor considered to be instrumental in holding previous parleys with the separatists.
"While we were in Delhi, many of our friends, who are Kashmir watchers, wanted to meet us. It was during one such meeting that Dulat suggested that we should start dialogue with the government of India. We told him that we are, in principle, ready for the dialogue," Mirwaiz Umar told Hindustan Times.
"If Vajpayee-type dialogue is revisited, then there is scope for talks. Hurriyat Conference is committed to any dialogue aiming at resolving the vexed Kashmir issue," he added.
In separate meetings with separatist leaders last Sunday, Aziz had insisted that the Kashmir issue would be resolved through peaceful bilateral negotiations with India. Hurriyat leaders, however, had wanted Pakistan to prioritise the Kashmir issue, highlight human rights violations, implementation of UN resolutions and unauthorised occupation of land in the Valley by security forces.
"Hurriyat is conscious of the need of engagement between the two countries but we have insisted on Kashmiri involvement at a later stage. The solution to the Kashmir issue can only be political," he added.
"May be if India and Pakistan start a constructive dialogue process, Kashmiris can be included at a later stage," Mirwaiz said.
The Hurriyat (M) chairperson insisted that there were two possible ways to find a solution to the Kashmir problem. "Either the UN resolutions should be implemented in letter and spirit or a triangular dialogue should be started," he said. "We are in favour of peace in the region and welcome any move for resolving the Kashmir issue," the Mirwaiz said.
The Mirwaiz, however, was not hopeful of a dialogue with the Centre soon. "The country is in election mood, so we don't see the possibility of a dialogue anytime soon," he said.
The moderate Hurriyat has listed revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, demilitarisation and release of political prisoners as preconditions for the dialogue.
