 |
|
“Islamabad
continues to aid cross-border terror and hence talks cannot be
held,” said Fernandes
|
JAMMU,
India, June 9 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Although India
and Pakistan have recently took positive steps to thaw their
diplomatic tensions plagued by the Kashmiri situation, Indian Defence
Minister George Fernandes said Monday, June 9, India's stand that
talks with Pakistan would begin only after it ends "cross-border
terrorism" in Kashmir.
"Islamabad
continues to aid cross-border terror and hence talks cannot be held
unless the ground situation changes," Agence France-Presse (AFP)
quoted Fernandes as telling reporters.
"The
Prime Minister has, since he initiated a peace offer with Pakistan,
been consistent in saying that the dialogue can begin only when
Islamabad stopped aiding cross-border terrorism.
"Terrorists
are being pushed into the Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir and
Pakistani troops continue to pound our villages with mortar shells and
machinegun fire," he said.
The
Minister’s statements came during a visit to border belts of Poonch
and Rajouri, where the Indian army is currently engaged in an
operation to flush out militants holed up on high peaks and dense
forests.
The
operation, called "Sarp Vinash" (annihilation of snakes),
has so far killed 63 militants.
Pakistan
and India announced May 2 they were restoring full diplomatic ties and
heading towards resumption of talks to settle half a century old
disputes “for the economic and social betterment of their
peoples”.
On
the same day, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajepayee announced
the restoration
of full diplomatic relations and air links with Pakistan as part of
his “efforts to leave a legacy of peace with Pakistan”.
Reciprocating
the Indian gesture, his Pakistani counterpart Zafarullah Khan Jamali
announced May 6 that his country would soon resume
all air,
rail and bus links with New Deli.
Pakistan
also released
20 Indian nationals on May 18 from its jails and handed them over to
the Indian authorities.
On
May 27, Pakistan nominated
its Foreign Ministry spokesman Aziz Ahmad Khan as High Commissioner to
India.
India,
for its part, India named current ambassador to China, Shiv Shankar
Menon, its new envoy to Pakistan.
Long
Road To Peace
For
his part, India's new negotiator on Kashmir, N.N. Vohra, said on
Monday the problems within the two south Asian neighbours could not be
solved any time soon.
"It
will take a long time to understand and resolve the problems of the
people," Vohra, said.
"The
Kashmir issue has two facets -- one pertains to the problems of the
people and the other relates to history.
"I
plan to separate the two and first tackle the problems of the people
and the regions and then touch on the complex issue (of
history)," he added.
Vohra,
66, was appointed as New Delhi's pointman on Kashmir in February and
was authorised to initiate talks with elected representatives and
other sectors of Kashmiri society.
He
visited Kashmir in April when he met political leaders but the trip
was boycotted by Kashmiri groups, including the All Parties Hurriyat
Conference (APHC).
The
APHC refused to meet Vohra and instead asked for talks at a
"higher level".
Vohra
appealed for Kashmiris to join him in talks during future visits, but
the Hurriyat Sunday, June 8, rejected his plea.
"We
have boycotted Vohra because his mission is irrelevant in the wake of
prospects of indo-Pak talks becoming bright," Hurriyat chairman
Abdul Gani Bhat said on Monday.
In
Hindu-majority Jammu, Vohra attracted large numbers of trade and
industry leaders, although political party representatives stayed
away.
