25 July 2004	Sunday	07 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

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ISLAMABAD, July 24: There are three parties to the Kashmir dispute - Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris - and all three must be fully involved in its resolution, notes the ad hoc delegation of the European Parliament on Kashmir in its latest report.

A summary report presented earlier in the week by the leader of the European Parliament (EP) delegation, John Cushnahan, is based on its two visits to both sides of the Kashmir divide, and the two national capitals in December 2003 and June 2004.

The report obtained by Dawn contains a host of key recommendations with a clear message from the delegation that its intention was "not to interfere" but arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the real situation in Kashmir and its complexities.

A significant observation and recommendation made by the EP delegation is: "We believe there are three parties which have a legitimate interest in finding a solution to Kashmir problem namely the Indian government, the Pakistan government and the Kashmiri people and their representatives, and therefore all three should be fully involved."

It urges that the cycle of violence must stop immediately and that action must be taken to protect human rights. In this context it strongly recommends better monitoring of all detainees by the Indian government.

Also, it calls upon the new Indian government to reconsider its position on UNMOGIP (United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan), enabling it to properly carry out its mandate by allowing and facilitating access to the Indian administered side of the Line of Control (LoC).

The EP delegation proposes holding of a conference, in two separate sessions in AJK and IOK, to examine the options of conflict resolution, involving academics and relevant experts from both sides of Kashmir, for which the EU could provide funding.

The justification given for such an initiative is the "need for the opening of minds and the introduction of imaginative thinking to create a framework in which a solution (to Kashmir dispute) can be found."

Stating that Kashmir is a regional issue with international implications, the delegation underlines that the European Parliament must continue to engage with Kashmir, by keeping open the lines of communication and continuing to follow from close quarters the process underway. Thus it strongly recommends that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the EP consider appointing a 'Standing Rapporteur on Kashmir' to continue its engagement with all parties concerned.

Other recommendations include the establishment of cross-border bodies on tourism and environment to reinforce the involvement of Kashmiris in controlling their own destiny, and with goodwill on the part of both India and Pakistan.

Referring to the ceasefire announced by President Pervez Musharraf on November 26, 2003, it notes that it has held, with only one reported case of firing across the Line of Control.

However, it points out that on the Indian side of the LoC there have been at least 1,000 deaths since early 2004. Acknowledging that there has been some improvement in the situation due to the ceasefire, less infiltration across the LoC and a reported reduction of human rights abuses at the hands of security forces, it observes that despite some progress, there is a strong perception that the Pakistan authorities could do more to curb the activities of militant groups in Indian-administered Kashmir.

While supporting this view the EP delegation concedes: "However, we recognize that there could be important vested interests outside President Musharraf's control. It has been alleged that most militants come from 'outside' Kashmir, although in the Kashmir Valley itself it would appear that the majority are indigenous."

It adds: "The erection of the fence along part of the LoC has created as many problems as it has solved."

Pointing to the huge military presence in Jammu and Kashmir with a ratio of approximately one soldier to 10 civilians the EP delegation report says: "The psychological pressures of 'stop and search' practices and the sense of being in a war zone, with violations by both militants and security forces, are strong."

While commending peace initiatives taken by President Musharraf and former Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and supporting the recent emphasis on confidence-building measures, the EP delegations recommends that the ongoing dialogue between Pakistan and India "must be meaningful and have real substance".

When Dawn contacted Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Menon here on Saturday, he declined to comment on the report or the recommendations of the EP Delegation on Kashmir.

"I can't comment on it from here. If we do, it will be in Delhi," was his brief response.

The full report of the delegation is to be presented to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the EP on July 27-28.

In 1994 the International Commission of Jurists, a delegation of which visited both India and Pakistan, had made similar recommendations. However, the recommendations in which it was mentioned that the elections held in Indian administered Kashmir were no substitute to plebiscite that had to be carried there under the UN auspices, were rejected by India.

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