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Conceding that "we must deliver" and "if we don't, there will be trouble", the
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today asserted that his
Government was attending to the business of governance and that it would not be
easy to rebuild overnight "all that has been demolished in the seven years of
militancy." The Chief Minister was speaking at a meet-the-press" at the Press Club
of India here.
About Pakistan's claim on Kashmir, Dr. Abdullah was very categorical:
"As for Kashmir, nothing will happen. Pakistan will not get even an inch of the
Jammu and Kashmir territory. Three "As" - Allah, Army and America - continue to
control Pakistan. Unless Pakistan gives up its Kashmir stance, nothing substantial
will happen."
Nonetheless, the Chief Minister thought that "a big brother, India has to send out
right signals for Pakistan to feel that we want lasting, friendship." He hopes
that the forthcoming Male summit meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and
Pakistan would "mark a major step towards breaking the ice."
In his view this willingness to keep the door open for negotiations must go hand
in hand with the requisite vigil and firmness. "It took Pakistan as many as 50
years to admit that Gilgit and some other areas are not part of that country.
Talks do help but we must remain vigilant. We must strengthen our borders.
Nothing can be left to chance."
The encounter with the capital's press corps revealed a Dr. Farooq Abdullah very
much at ease with the new dispensation in New Delhi. He expressed himself totally
satisfied with the level of trust and confidence reposed in him by the Prime
Minister. "So far as I am concerned, I have been and continued to be taken into
confidence by the Government of India." About the suggestion to convert the Line
of Control into a permanent border, Dr. Abdullah conveyed the impression that it
was just one of the ideas that had been talked about for a long time. "The Prime
Minister, Mr. Gujral, has already rejected the idea".
The Chief Minister seemed relishing his role as a partner in the United Front and
was liberal with his advice to the beleaguered Chief Minister of Bihar, Mr. Laloo
Prasad Yadav. Asked if Mr. Yadav should resign, he observed "It is for the
concerned to decide.
He (Mr. Yadav) received massive support from the people. I would have submitted
my resignation to the Governor with the provision that I shall return to office
when exonerated by the court. "
Closer at home, Dr. Abdullah did not seem much impressed with the All-Party
Hurriyat Conference's claims to be the genuine voice of the people of Kashmir.
"The very day I assumed power, I said our doors were open for talks. Much earlier
the U.S. Ambassador observed that a window of hope had been opened and he advised
the Hurriyat to contest the elections. But the Hurriyat leaders went by the
directions of their masters across the border and kept on demanding
plebiscite/tripartite talks between the representatives of Kashmir, Pakistan and
India. He made it absolutely clear that "it is the Prime Minister of India who
will speak on behalf of the entire nation." On the question of human rights
violations, the Chief Minister pointed out that a commission had already been
constituted, with authority to look into every case referred to it.
PTI reports:
Later Dr. Farooq Abdullah, had a meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. I. K.
Gujral, today He is reported to have apprised the Prime Minister of the situation
in the State.
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