Kashmir formula cooking on the backburner?

‘Singh’s desire, US edging India, Pak into Kashmir settlement’

Srinagar, July 16 (VOS): Backed by respective governments, track II diplomats of India and Pakistan are working overtime to arrive at a formula for solving the long standing dispute over Jammu and Kashmir. Hectic efforts are going on behind the scene, to take on board different stakeholders of the six decades old dispute, while as an impression is being given out that discussions on Kashmir have been put on hold.

Sources close to a Delhi based, prominent Track II diplomat told VOS the contours of a formula to solve the Kashmir issue are being worked out by the activists on both side with active involvement of the two governments behind the scene.

“The formula is based on the concept of solving the problem in a phased manner, as the two countries are finding it hard to trust each other on a final solution apart from internal politics of the two countries playing spoilsport”, added sources.

India’s reluctance to embark upon such a solution is said to be diminished in wake of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s desire to find a solution during his term as Prime Minister, which is unlikely to extend beyond year 2014. Singh is also believed to be insistent on some sort of a breakthrough on Kashmir during his proposed visit to Pakistan next year.

Additionally, United States of America is believed to have started focusing its energy on the region, in the backdrop of its proposed withdrawal from Afghanistan, also starting 2014. With continued bickering between India and Pakistan being viewed as detrimental to America’s troop withdrawal plans, it is edging the two neighbours into at least reaching semblance of a solution which could allow it easy sleep post withdrawal.

Significantly referring to resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan, US president Barack Obama said, “It is not the place of any nation, including the United States, to try to impose solutions from the outside. That said, nations must meet their responsibilities and all of us have a profound interest in a Pakistan that is stable, prosperous and democratic.”

Obama also seems to have pitched hopes on Prime Minister Singh’s visit to Pakistan later this year or early next year for some sort of a breakthrough. “Efforts in New Delhi and Islamabad to improve relations give hope for further progress, including a possible visit to Pakistan by Prime Minister [Manmohan] Singh,” he has said.

According to reliable sources, various political leaders from the two countries, apart from Hurriyat Conference leaders, have been contacted by respective track 2 diplomats for their inputs on such a formula. “However, they are finding it hard to convince the hardliners (from either side) on arriving at an interim solution and BJP leader L K Advani’s coming out with a statement against any sort of concessions on Kashmir is indicative of such resistance”, the sources added. Additionally, hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani also seems to have run out of favours in Islamabad on account of his cold shouldering any possible compromise solution on Kashmir.

Political analysts believe, it is in this background that the mainstream and off-stream leadership in Kashmir has raised pitch in seeking an early resolution to the issue. Recent statements, calling for resolution of Kashmir, from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed indicate their support for such a formula. Mufti had asked BJP leader L K Advani to follow former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s line on Kashmir, while as Omar has reiterated his statement that Kashmir is a political problem.

The invitation extended by Pakistan High Commissioner Jalil Abbasi to Kashmiri separatist leaders, to visit Pakistan around the same time when the Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna is due to visit the country in September or October is also significant as the Pakistani leadership will ensure taking at least the moderate separatist leadership in Kashmir on board before arriving at some formula or interim solution, says a renowned valley based journalist.

Renewed focus and interest shown by the western media in the events in Kashmir is said to be as a result of activity in diplomatic circles to seek solution to Kashmir issue. “It is aimed at attracting international attention to put pressure on the two countries to fast forward the sluggish and seemingly unproductive dialogue process”, opines the journalist. (VOS)

President Obama said what we have been saying all along: Dr. Farooq   

“Indian, Pakistan can ensure a peaceful solution of Kashmir”

Srinagar, July 16 (VOS): The National Conference President and Union Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah today  agreed with US President Barack Obama that only India and Pakistan could resolve the long-standing issue of Kashmir.

"What Obama has said, we knew it right from the beginning. If Kashmir issue is to be resolved, it has to be done by India and Pakistan," said Abdullah

The NC President said the Centre has always maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between New Delhi and Islamabad and hence needs to be addressed by the two countries.

“Any model is workable but when Pakistan and India declare that it isAcceptable”, said Abdullah

The National Conference President, however, expressed disappointment over the delay in resolving the issue.

“Its time to address the aspiration of the people and restoration of autonomy is the only viable option that can ensure a win win situation for all” said NC president

Dr. Farooq said that Nation Conference has all along encouraged people to people contact and has always facilitated the dialog process between the neighboring countries.

“History has provided this region an opportunity when they can and they should leave behind their past and foster a relationship that improves the quality of life of nearly one and a half billion people of the region” said Adbullah

“Talks should be held at regular intervals between India and Pakistan. Some bold steps should be taken to ensure that a viable solution is found for a prosperous and progressive subcontinent” said Abdullah

India and Pakistan should foster a new relationship and work together and use our resources for eradicating poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and hunger, he added

Govt should focus on high end tourism, new destinations: Mufti

Cautions against ‘rejoicing’ enforced peace

Srinagar, July 16 (VOS): Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said the expansion and up gradation of tourism infrastructure had gained urgency in face of the inevitable need to promote high end tourism in the state. “Kashmir, Ladakh and many places in Jammu are designed by nature for high spending elite tourists but lack of infrastructure has hampered the realization of true worth of this potential” he said while addressing a public meeting at the Kokernag tourist destination in South Kashmir today.

He was accompanied by the national spokesman of the party Dr Sameer Kaul,Nizamudin Khatana MLC and District president Peer Mohd Hussain who also addressed the gathering. On this occasion Nanajee Wattal ,Mian Javaid ,Adv Javaid Ah Sheikh, Adv Javaid Ah Sathoo, Gh Hassan Rather Ex power commissioner, Jai Krishan Pandita, Durga Nath padita , Choudhry Gulzar Ahmed , R K takroo and Peer shabir were also present.

Mufti said while it was heartening that tourism flow to Kashmir had steadily grown after its revival in 2003 following long years of strife but numbers alone do not determine the true economic potential of this highly sensitive activity that also has a direct impact on environment which in the case of J&K is a primary concern. He said the inherent strength of Kashmir had sustained it as a global brand name in tourism and handicrafts even in the worst times of its history. “But we have to build on these strengths an infrastructure that can compete the best in the world and attract the tourists with high spending power and respect for ecology and environment for which very strict standards will have to be enforced” he said.

Recalling the major initiatives his government had taken for revival of tourism and expansion of its base Mufti said as many as 22 tourism development authorities were set up with projects worth hundreds of crores sanctioned with assured funding. Work on golf courses, clubs, accommodation and other amenities was started in established destinations like Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Ladakh and Patni Top. However, Mufti said of higher importance was to promote new destinations and virgin spots all over the richly endowed state and Kokernag, Verinag, Aharbal and Achhabal were among the long list of such places brought under the purview of TDAs. “It is unfortunate the effort has not been carried forward significantly like many other initiatives of the previous coalition treating them as ‘enemy’ projects” Mufti regretted. He said development of new places was also necessary to achieve the dual objective of spreading tourism activity and its benefits as also to relieve pressure on traditional destinations which have been choking under increased number of footfalls.

Mufti said it is time that the state focused on quality of tourism rather than just swelling numbers. Even as the government has conveyed no impression of changing its ways of functioning the business community must come out with a response to the new situation, he said while expressing satisfaction at some high end infrastructure projects coming up at some places. He called for more such projects away from the golden triangle of Srinagar-Pahalgam-Gulmarg, special government incentives for tourism investment in less developed areas and said the tourism industry too has a responsibility to enforce strict standards for fair trade practices. He said an integrated policy was needed to add value to brand name Kashmir which must become sacrosanct in the global tourism industry and remain safe from exploitation by a few unscrupulous elements.

Mufti said the present government has been unable to build on the culture of innovative progress created by the previous coalition. This government is only using the number of tourism arrivals as propaganda to pat itself undeservedly for enforcing an uneasy calm that it claims to be peace. He said it was unfortunate that responsible voices from the central government too wanted the country to rejoice such dubious claims when the ground reality in the state was defined by unprecedented loot of national resources, maladministration, bad governance, development freeze and brute government force to silence criticism. “Don’t mistake this calm enforced through security measures as peace. Sustainable peace will come only when fundamental political, developmental and governance issues are addressed seriously and people gain a sense of achievement” he cautioned.

Expressing concern at the paralysis of administration, Mufti said there is not a single area of achievement for this coalition in its nearly four years of rule. He said the political waywardness of the coalition partners was understandable as they were not bound by any common minimum program on development and political issues. “The only agreed program for them seems to be a six year tenure for the chief minister and independence for every minister to do as they please” he said. He added that this anarchy at the top had resulted in the collapse of administration and every government amenity or public service was being sold against money. Government jobs, he said are once again being sold for monetary or political favors and youth are once again finding themselves crushed under vested interest which is a dangerous feeling to grow.  

On this occasion PDP National spokesperson Dr Sameer Kaul said it was unfortunate that the National Conference after having created a wedge between the state and rest of the country had itself struck bonds of friendship with whosoever ruled Delhi but used brutal methods to crush opposition to it at home. Youth were the worst victims of this duplicity and many generations of Kashmiris had suffered as a result, with NC itself enjoying power and luxuries he said.

He said it was a pleasant development that the people particularly youth of the state had started getting impressed with the PDP agenda and aligning with it. “Self rule is a document of hope and it is natural that the youth who have been the worst victims of conflict strike an easy bond with our agenda” he said.

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