Author:
Publication: The Hindu
Date: May 21, 2001
In what could create further ripples
within the 23-party Hurriyat Conference, its leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz,
today defended his stand of supporting Kashmir's "accession" with Pakistan.
"Our first priority is to abide
by the United Nation's resolution (which calls for accession of Kashmir
with India or Pakistan) and this at no point can be termed as jumping overboard
or going astray from the Hurriyat agenda," Aziz said on arrival from Lahore,
where he had gone to attend a family function. (Photo by PTI.)
Aziz was reported by Pakistani newspapers
as saying that "Kashmir's accession with Pakistan was inevitable". However,
this statement of Aziz drew severe criticism from another Hurriyat constituent
-- JKLF -- which said "Aziz had been sent to Pakistan to attend the family
functions and not indulge in making statements of his choice."
Aziz, however, maintained that "second
priority" could be accorded to tripartite talks between India, Pakistan
and people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The independence aspect of Kashmir can
be covered in the tripartite talks," Aziz said.
During his nearly three-week stay
in Pakistan, Aziz met military ruler General Pervez Musharaff and other
leaders in Islamabad and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
