July 2, 2003	Wednesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 1,1424

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SRINAGAR, July 1: Indian Kashmir’s dominant rebel group Hizbul Mujahedin on Tuesday said it would support talks between India and Pakistan aimed at resolving the issue of Kashmir.

“When the time is right we will extend our cooperation to the initiative taken by India and Pakistan,” Hizbul spokesman Junaid-ul-Islam told a local news agency in Srinagar.

“Presently we are pursuing a wait and watch policy on the developments regarding Kashmir,” he said.

The spokesman said his organization wanted to see a resolution of the Kashmir issue through talks among all the parties involved.

“Both India and Pakistan have made a new beginning for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. We welcome it,” he said.

But the spokesman criticized Indian President Abdul Kalam’s recent comment during a visit to the region last week that Kashmir was an integral part of India — the traditional stand taken by New Delhi.

“Like other Indian leaders, the president must not ignore the reality,” Mr Islam said, adding he should adopt a “realistic approach and work towards meaningful talks between India, Pakistan and Kashmiris.”—AFP