| Categories | ||
  POLITICS & GOVERNANCE[2001 onwards] POLITICS & GOVERNANCE[1996-2000] MOVIESMUSICSPORTSBUSINESSNATIONAL SECURITYINTERNATIONAL AFFAIRSINFOTECHSOCIETYSTYLELIVETRAVELSCIENCEELECTION'99ELECTIONS '98 | ||
'The wishes of the Kashmiris cannot be ignored'
Salman Haider : Hello, I am glad to be here. It is a big
moment in the Indo Pak relations and there are considerable expectations. We
hope somelthing good would come out it. rsajan : What do you say about the role of the international drug mafia in the Kasmir insurgency? Is it all not a mere case of narco-terrorism? If so, can there be a solution without the narcotic mafia's say-so? Salman Haider : Narco terrorism has been identified as a problem in our region. It complicates the issue in Kashmir. However, I do not believe that the narcotic mafia are able to determine what will occure when the leaders meet. They would take their own decisions on the basis of their respective judgements. priyag : maybe we can begin with our vies on the issue Salman Haider : The Indian view is that a broad range of issues should be discussed. While Pakistan seeks to concentrate only on Kashmir. This is a traditional difference of approach between the two sides and underlines the difficulty in any dialogue between them. However, a composite dialogue with an eight point agenda agreed at Lahore and this might again surface at Agra. manic : what are we looking forward to, mr. haider? what is the buzz so far? Salman Haider : There is excessive buzz, so much so that nobody really knows what to believe. All would depend on how the two leaders react to each other and on the degree of trust and confidence that develops between them. venkat : hello mr. haider, what importance would u give to this meeting Salman Haider : I would attach high importance to this meeting. India and Pakistan have been in a trough and this meeting should revive communications and permit them to engage them in discussing their problems with each other. priyag : what do u suppose the pakistanis have in mind, besides kashmir Salman Haider : The Iran-Pakistan-India gap pipeline is one item that may be on the Pakistani agenda. I do not have any information about other items they may wish to raise apart from Kashmir. razdan : Will Kashmir be the main issue or the kashmiris Salman Haider : Good question. The situation and the wishes of the Kashmiris cannot be ignored. venkat : would the meeting end wiith a positive note on indo-iran gas pipeline? Salman Haider : I hope so. This is a good project which offers benefit to all the parties. sundaram : Is this meeting is mainlyu due US pressure? Salman Haider : Some people believe that U S pressure has pushed the two countries together. Certainly the US and other countries made no secret of their wish that India and Pakistan should resume dialogue. My own believe, however, is that this is result of an autonomous decision not taken under any external pressure or direction. sanjay : mr haider how is this talks going to be differnt from the previous one, and will this talk bring any hope of easing of the tension in kashmir Salman Haider : This time Pakistan will be represented by its army chief who is also the president, while last time it was an elected prime minister. This is a material difference, in addition, we have been through the trauma of Kargil which has left scars. Notwithstanding all past difficulties I believe that the talk can help to reduce tension and ease the situation in Kashmir. Rameshk : Why do u think Pak stresses so much on Kashmir Issue alone Salman Haider : That is something for Pakistan to answer rather than someone from this side of border. From the Indian view this is a mistaken emphasis. The task should be to build friendship and deal with intractable issue in propertime, without forcing the pace. raj : Some couple of days back, one of the congress leader (Mr. Natwar Singh?) said he wasn't sure whether the NDA govt. has done the necessary homework for the summit etc...common, do you believe that any govt. will not plan for such a crucial summit? Salman Haider : Doubtless extensive planning has been undertaken by the government. Naturally the opposition would be inclined to question what has been done in order to satisfy itself on the point. priyag : should huriyat be involved in the dialogue Salman Haider : No. khel : How do you forsee the present summitin the context of kashmir Salman Haider : I do not foresee any breakthrough agreement on Kashmir but I can envisage agreed measures to reduce infiltration and violence in the state. Further dialogue on Kashmir and other issues could well be agreed at the summit. raj : Should india take up the issue of extradation of criminals like Dawood with the Pakistani president? Salman Haider : This is a legitimate cause for concern to India and whether any result is achieved or not, it is a fit subject to be raised. sajanr : Normally this would be a time when Musharaff, the President ought to be struggling for recognition abroad as President. The time he chose to declare himself President seems to have been most apt, in that he is now being received by the traditional enemy and critic as President and acknowledged leader. Is there a hidden, mutually agreed plan in all this? Has the US twisted India's arms to have this talk now, that Musharaff may manage easy recognition and acknowledgement? If so, are we not all being taken for a ride? Salman Haider : The assumption of the presidency by General Musharraf raised many eye brows including in the United States. Pakistani spokesman have given their explanation for the move and its timing. I do not see much by way of any hidden purpose, especially as this move was predicted in Pakistan long before it took place and long before the invitation to the summit. Rameshk : My Haider, What will be the Post Summit Senario if the talks dont produce desired results?? Salman Haider : Let us not rush to anticipate failure. raj : Shouldn't the pakistani embassy have the option to invite anyone they like? Salman Haider : In my view, the tea party invtiation has generated excessive heat. Both sides need to ensure that no unnecessary understandings are created and tactful handling of such essentially second rate matters as the tea party invitation would be desirable. tariq : what in your opinion is the posible solution to the kashmir dispute,which can satisfy all the three parties viz,pakistan, india and kashmiris? Salman Haider : I have no magic formula to offer. In my view, India and Pakistan should remain engaged with each other in order to obtain incremental improvements in the situations and progressively ease the burden on the State of J&K. A solution is more likely to emerge from a better bilateral relationship rather then from the present mood of hostility. Morphius : do u think it will be another lahore debacle Salman Haider : Lahore was not a debacle. Even though what followed it was very demaging. We still refer with approval to the decisions taken at Lahore. Possibly Agra would reaffirm many of those decisions, this time with better intention to put them into effect. sandip : what do u feel that india will maintain the LOC as permanent border Salman Haider : As of now, Pakistan has rejected this possibility even though there is considerable sentiment in its favour in India. dev_yadav1 : you think the people of the both nation get sothing? Salman Haider : A successful summit should give something to each side otherwise agreements would not hold. Salman Haider : Good bye. Nice talking to you.
|
