Mirwaiz asks world powers to facilitate Kashmir settlement

ISLAMABAD:  The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet

Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has maintained that the world powers including the United States had the moral obligation to end thekilling spree in Indian occupied Kashmir and facilitate initiation ofdialogue between the leadership of India, Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the Kashmir dispute amicably.

According to Kashmir Media Service, `The Situation in Kashmir and its impact on India, Pakistan and the Region" at the prestigious Los Angeles World Affairs Council (LAWAC), the APHC Chairman underscored the need to resolve the dispute without any further delay,addressing a seminar.

"The world powers including the United States have the moralobligation to bring the killings in Kashmir to a quick end andinitiate a political dialogue between the accredited leadership ofJammu and Kashmir and the Governments of India and Pakistan to setstage for a democratic and peaceful solution of the dispute," hesaid.

Elaborating, the Mirwaiz said, the APHC is ready to engage in talks with the Government of India if there is an immediate and

complete cessation of military actions against the civilian population in the occupied territory.

"It is my belief that India and Pakistan alone cannot solvethe 63-year-old Kashmir conflict and requires the deeper engagement

of the United States with both these neighbouring countries," hesaid.He reminded President Obama of his Presidential campaignpledge about appointing Bill Clinton as a special envoy on Kashmir.

He also appealed to the leadership and membership of the LAWAC to impress upon the US Administration to persuade both India andPakistan to find a solution of the Kashmir problem in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state of Jammuand Kashmir.Mirwaiz pointed out that no solution of the Kashmir problem would be just if it ignored the intense popular sentiments of the people.

"The durable peace and development of harmonious and friendlycooperation between India and Pakistan would serve the vitalinterests of the peoples, enabling them to devote their energies for

a better future," Mirwaiz said.He also recalled the then US President, Bill Clinton's statement in 2000 about the Kashmir wherein he referred the Himalayan region as the nuclear flashpoint and most dangerous place on the earth.

In response to another question, the APHC Chairman detailed the massive human rights violations committed by Indian troops in Kashmir in order to suppress a popular movement for self determination. "Over 85,000 innocent civilians have been killed within thepast 21 years and over 140 youth were killed between May to November 2010. There is state sponsored terrorism in Kashmir, which needs to

be condemned by the international community. The presence of over 600,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces have made Kashmir

the largest army concentration in the world," he said, while

recalling that the European Parliament called Kashmir the most

beautiful prison in the world.

He also deplored the studied unconcern by the United States towards the situation in the occupied territory."Our demand for participating in the dialogue also includes the withdrawal of military presence from towns and villages, releasing of all political prisoners, annulling various special

repressive laws include the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Public Safety Act and restoring the rights of peaceful association,assembly and demonstration," the APHC Chairman said.