20000102

Kashmiri leaders resolve to make renewed efforts for liberation

ISLAMABAD: Leadership of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and political parties of liberated state have issued a joint statement here on Saturday, resolving to make renewed efforts to liberate Kashmir.

They urged the international community to realise the gravity of the Kashmir problem at the advent of the new millennium. They were confident that the 21st century will bring peace, justice and freedom to the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who have suffered immensely at the hands of Indian occupation forces and denied their basic rights during the past half century.

The statement said "We note that the resolute efforts of UN and world leaders have successfully solved some of the most complex and outstanding international disputes like Bosnia, Kosovo and East Timor during the last decade, while encouraging progress has been achieved, in several other important conflicts like Middle East and Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, Jammu and Kashmir, despite being the oldest unresolved issue on UN agenda had not received their full attention.

With the advent of the new millennium, it has now been recognised by the world leaders, most recently by President Clinton himself that Jammu and Kashmir is the most dangerous and volatile flashpoint in the world today, which has the potential to jeopardising world peace.

It must, therefore, be resolved without further delay. We reassert that this issue cannot be resolved bilaterally. History is a witness that India and Pakistan have never been able to resolve their major disputes without third party assistance.

We, therefore, call upon the UN and the world leaders, specially USA, UK, Europe and OIC to actively associate and assist in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of its people.

A peaceful and just resolution of the Kashmir issue will be best present, world leaders can give to humanity in the new millennium.

We salute the unflinching grit and valour of our people who have given immense sacrifices and put up a heroic resistance against Indian occupation.

We express or complete solidarity with the leadership of All Parties Hurriyat Conference now imprisoned by India. We are confident that the unprecedented sacrifices will soon be rewarded.

The statement was signed by the AJK Prime Minister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, Sardar Sikandar Hayat (Mulsim Conference) Sardar Khalid Ibrahim (AJK People Party), Shah Gulam Qadir (Muslim Conference) and Noorur Bari (JI).

Those who signed the statement on behalf of APHC were: Yousaf Nasim, Ghulam Mohammad Safi, Prof Ashraf Saraf, Mir Mahir Masud and Altaf Qadri.

Rev. Patrick Aguistine, Special Representative of the Arch Bishop Cantebury also endorsed the statement prayed for the world community to be the instruments of justice and peace to bring to an end the on-going tyranny and oppression on 13 million Kashmiri people who suffer to live as free citizens in their own homeland. The statement was also supported by Sardar Sarwar Khan, Secretary Kashmir Liberation Cell. APP