June 29, 2002	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1423

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KHARTOUM, June 28: The Orgnaization of Islamic Conference Foreign Ministers has condemned the flagrant human rights violations in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and called for appointing a special representative of the OIC Secretary General on Jammu and Kashmir.

A final communique issued at the conclusion of the 29th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) expressed deep concern at the current tense situation in South Asia as a result of large scale deployment of Indian troops and supported Pakistan’s offer for a meaningful dialogue with India.

The conference also adopted Khartoum Declaration expressing solidarity and support for the right of the people of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.

The foreign ministers, in the declaration reaffirmed the importance of dialogue as a factor in addressing conflicts between member states and other states worldwide.

They expressed concern over the tension between India and Pakistan and called for reduction of tension and resumption of dialogue between the two countries.

In this regard, the foreign ministers of Islamic countries appreciated Islamabad’s position to resolve its disputes with New Delhi through negotiations.

The conference adopted the recommendations of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and took note of the Memorandum submitted by the true representatives of the Kashmiri people.

The conference rejected efforts of associating terrorism with Islam and emphasized the need for a clear definition of terrorism drawing distinction between struggles of the people for their right to self-determination and terrorism.

The conference also adopted recommendations for promotion of cooperation among Islamic countries in economic, scientific and technological, cultural and information fields.

Earlier in the day, the conference had adopted a large number of resolutions on various issues facing the Islamic countries including resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, current tension between Pakistan and India and protection of Muslim minorities in the non-OIC countries.

The Pakistan delegation to the conference was led by the Federal Minister for Information and Media Development, Nisar A. Memon.—PPI