 |
||
|
||
|
||
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan –– Militants battling Indian soldiers in disputed Kashmir pledged Tuesday to continue their secessionist war despite political talks planned for later this month and recent moves toward peace.
"We won't reduce our attacks against the Indian army nor will we allow New Delhi to use meaningless talks as a delaying tactic," Farooq Kashmiri, chief of the militant group Harakat-ul Mujahedeen, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "Our struggle will continue until Kashmir is liberated."
Since 1989, Muslim militants headquartered in Pakistan have been waging a war in the Indian part of Kashmir, demanding either outright independence or union with Islamic Pakistan. Both countries lay claim to Kashmir, which was divided between them following the end of British rule in 1947.
Pakistan and mainly Hindu India have taken steps in recent weeks to reduce tensions in Kashmir, the flashpoint of two previous wars between the neighbors.
India last month offered a unilateral cease-fire to secessionist militants in its territory. Pakistan reciprocated with a truce offer. India has since extended its cease-fire, and Pakistan has begun withdrawing troops from the disputed border.
Leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference – an alliance of 23 separatist groups in the Indian part of Kashmir – will visit Pakistan later this month to meet with its government and militant groups based there. The meetings would be a prelude to possible peace talks with Indian and Pakistani leaders.
"Our leaders are coming to Pakistan to take into confidence the government of Pakistan and the mujahedeen leadership before holding talks with India. We eventually want tripartite talks that includes India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris," said Ghulam Mohammed Safi, an All Parties Hurriyat Conference spokesman in Pakistan.
Pakistan also wants three-way talks. India has refused to talk to Pakistan, demanding its neighbor first stop cross-border incursions by militants. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training rebels. Pakistan denies the charge, saying its support is limited to political and moral aid.
On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee offered renewed talks with Pakistan, but his conditions were vague.
"We're prepared to recommence talks with Pakistan at any level, including the highest level, provided Islamabad gives sufficient proof of its preparedness to create a conducive atmosphere for a meaningful dialogue," he said.
In India, leaders of the Hurriyat conference on Tuesday urged residents to boycott the first village elections in two decades in Jammu-Kashmir state – the Indian part of Kashmir – calling it an "undemocratic drama."
Indian authorities have called elections for village councils in the state beginning Jan. 15 and spread over 10 weeks.
The voting has been postponed three times in the past four years because of the fighting in the area.
"The election is aimed at sabotaging
Kashmir's freedom struggle," the alliance said in a statement. "We appeal
to people to boycott the elections."
|
||
|
||
|
||