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Resume talks, Hurriyat
tells India, Pak

Onkar Singh in New Delhi &
Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

All Party Hurriyat Conference chairman Abdul Gani Bhat on Sunday welcomed the steps announced by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to tackle terrorism in his country.

In his first official reaction to Musharraf's Saturday night speech, Bhat said the tone has been set for the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Talking to rediff.com from his residence in Srinagar, Bhat said he hoped for a favourable response from the Indian government.

"Musharaff has set the tone for the process of dialogue. I hope the government of India will respond in a positive manner and accept the offer. The problem of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be solved through armed conflict. It has to be solved through talks. India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir should now sit down and sort this problem out. When others can resolve their disputes through talks, why can't we do the same?" Bhat asked.

He expressed his happiness about the continued support to the Kashmir cause by the Pakistani government.

Asked to react to the ban on Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Bhat said that the steps taken by the president of Pakistan against terrorist organisations are an internal matter of that country. "Those who fight for their freedom in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be termed terrorists," Bhat said.

When asked if he would be travelling to Delhi to hold talks with Indian leaders, he said: "What for? I understand Kashmiris are being harassed in Delhi a lot," he said and added, "Abhi Dilli door hai."

Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, a former chairman of APHC, believes the ban on Jaish and Lashkar would not have any impact on the freedom struggle in the Valley. "The Pakistan president has reiterated that moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris will continue," he said.

Mehbooba Mufti, firebrand leader of the People's Democratic Party, said India must respond to Musharraf's bold moves by reducing the military build-up on the border.

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