Don't expect India to pull out from Kashmir: Musharraf

OCCUPIED SRINAGAR : Former Pakistani president, Parvez Musharraf had warned moderate Hurriyet leaders that they should n

Published September 14, 2011 Updated September 14, 2011 12:10pm

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By Asad Naeem

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The cable talks about senior pro-freedom leader, Bilal Lone’s meeting with Deputy PolCouns (US Embassy) on January 31, 2007.

“Bilal told us (US diplomats) President Musharraf had been very optimistic about achieving a breakthrough with India on occupied Kashmir and warned the Hurriyet that they should not expect to see India withdraw its security forces entirely from Indian occupied Kashmir valley or agree to change its borders if the two sides reach an agreement,” reads the cable sent from US Embassy, New Delhi on February 01, 2007.

According to the cable, which has been classified as "secret" by US Political Counselor Ted Osius, US Embassy officials met pro-freedom Kashmiri leaders on January 31, 2007 to discuss All Party Hurriyet Conference's January 19 to 27, 2007 trip to Pakistan and the subsequent response in India to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's ‘renunciation of violent struggle’ for Kashmir.

“He (Bilal) said Musharraf had warned the APHC that any settlement that results from India-Pakistan talks is unlikely to change India's borders.

“When the (Hurriyet) delegation asked if India would pull its security forces out of Kashmir valley, Musharraf said, ‘no, how can they? They may return to cantonments, but the security forces will remain.’

Bilal commented further that any resolution needed a symbol of change in Kashmir, such as a Kashmiri Prime Minister, which would allow people to feel they had got something from their struggle.”

The cable reveals that moderates led by Mirwaiz were planning a “heavily hyped” return to Indian occupied Srinagar on February 1, 2007 for which they were hoping to generate large crowds, which was adding to US official’s concern for their security.

“Despite the January 31, 2007, grenade attack (near APHC office at Rajbagh) and an earlier attack on Mirwaiz's house, there is no indication that they (Hurriyat) have altered their plans to parade visibly through the streets in open vehicles.”

“They said the APHC must have this show of strength to demonstrate that the other faction of Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Geelani does not have all of the political power in Kashmir. The (leaders) then plan to return to New Delhi on February 3rd and stay for several weeks to let things cool off again in Indian occupied Srinagar,” the US diplomatic cable reveals.

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