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Jethmalani fails to convince Hurriyat for participation in election

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

The Kashmir Committee headed by Ram Jethmalani on Saturday failed to convince the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference to participate in the forthcoming assembly election in the state.

The members of the Kashmir committee and the APHC met in Srinagar for nearly four hours and later addressed a joint press conference.

APHC chairman Abdul Gani Bhat said, "The wishes of the people should be ascertained through a mechanism agreed upon by India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir."

"Our stand on the election is quite clear and needs no repetition," Bhat said.

"We had wide ranging discussions. We discussed elections too. We took a position, which is commensurate with history, politics and international law. But we decided to move ahead beyond yesterday and if we have to achieve a breakthrough we have to put our heads together and move ahead," Bhat said.

"This has to be a purposeful exercise. We have to look for a purposeful exercise. But the movement forward should be looked at from a different angle as well. To make the exercise purposeful we have to involve Pakistan, India and Kashmiris. And if we do not do this I am afraid we cannot achieve a breakthrough. But in first meeting no miracles could happen," Bhat added.

The Hurriyat chief also refused to issue an appeal to the militants 'for a ceasefire in Kashmir'.

Dileep Padgaonkar, one of the members of the Kashmir Committee, said, "The Kashmir committee impressed upon the APHC that the forthcoming state assembly poll are historical and crucial to identify the real representatives of Jammu and Kashmir. The representatives will be interlocutors in talks leading to a permanent settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir problem,"

Ram Jethmalani, while answering questions, admitted, "There is a dispute. It is only by accepting that there is a dispute that we can work to resolve it. It would be foolish for anyone to say there is no dispute."

The Hurriyat chairman said that the APHC would 'soon discuss the verbal invitation from the Prime Minister (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) and the Deputy Prime Minister (Lal Kishenchand Advani) for talks in New Delhi'.

Jethmalani said the Hurriyat leaders have agreed to come to New Delhi for another round of talks.

Also See:
Abdullah willing to hold talks with Hurriyat

Complete Coverage of the J&K Election

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