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Kashmir : Exploring the Irish model |
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Congress leaders have been doing loud thinking about proposals to settle the Kashmir issue. Congress leader and former Minister of State for External Affairs, Salman Khurshid, has said that thought could be given to an Ireland-type model to establish peace in the sub-continent. He said the Irish model and the European Model could be tried for settling the issue that has defied a solution for the past 57 years. Speaking about the Irish model, he said boundaries would disappear once economic exchanges became a priority. “Similarly, success of the European Union has made the geographical boundaries irrelevant. India and Pakistan can also try out this model for the uplift of the people.” Khurshid’s remarks came at a Conference of the South Asia Free Media Association in New Delhi.
A group of Pakistani journalists who had earlier visited Jammu and Kashmir also participated in the Conference which was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh.
Reacting to the move, Panthers’ Party Chairman Bhim Singh said the proposal for an Ireland type agreement is a dangerous plan to divide Jammu and Kashmir on communal lines.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil has said that he will try to meet Hurriyat Conference leaders when he travels to Jammu and Kashmir early next month. But the breakaway Hurriyat faction leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has said that there is no question of talking to Patil.
Meanwhile, restrictions on the movement of separatist leaders Geelani and Shabir Ahmed Shah have been lifted. Also JKLF chairman Yasin Malik and People’s League chief, Sheikh Abdul Aziz have been released from preventive custody.
US Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has said that no outside solution can be imposed to solve the Kashmir issue. He said, if elected President, he would insist on Pakistan ending cross-border terrorism and treat the two South Asian neighbours differently.
Kerry who promised to visit India if elected President, said : “Cross-border terrorism must stop. I cannot say that often enough. The support Pakistan has given to terrorist actions in Kashmir - official or non-official - must cease.”
He said : “It is long overdue for the US to distinguish once and for all, between India and Pakistan and to treat each differently and according to the demands of those bilateral relationships.”
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