'Lack of political package' disappoints Kashmiris: Manmohan's visit
By Izhar Wani
SRINAGAR: Kashmiri analysts said on Thursday a 5.3 billion dollar aid package from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was less important than a political solution to halt 15 years of violence.
The proposed four-year package of loans to build power plants and other services announced by Mr Singh on Wednesday, in his first visit to occupied Kashmir since taking power in May, was welcomed by academics, analysts and members of the public.
Still, all said a plan to end violence that has claimed more than 40,000 live since 1989, is the most important issue.
"His visit has not been different in outlook from other visits by Indian leaders," Noorudin Baba, the head of the political science department at Kashmir university, said. "He has given a good economic package but nothing on the political front."
Analysts said Mr Singh's remarks that moderate Kashmiri leaders such as a faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference should "renounce violence" and enter talks, without insisting on visiting Pakistan first, showed inflexibility.
"Hurriyat has been served a message that if you want to talk, talk without any conditions and forget visiting Pakistan," says Tahir Mohiudin, a journalist and leading analyst.
The Indian prime minister, at a press conference in Srinagar on Wednesday, noted that Kashmiri leaders had already meet Pakistani officials at the high commission in New Delhi.
It was a clear change from remarks by Home Minister Shivraj Patil in a visit earlier this month to held Kashmir, Baba said. He noted Mr Patil indicated the Indian government would consider Hurriyat leaders' requests to visit Pakistan if they applied through proper channel.
The leader of Hurriyat's moderate faction, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, reiterated that any talks on Kashmir have to include consultations with those based in Pakistan, including militants.
"If we are to progress on the path of peace and reconciliation, it is important that those people holding the guns should be taken into confidence," said Umar Farooq. "Our Pakistan visit will surely push forward the peace process."
On the streets, people welcomed the hefty economic package, double the held state's annual budget, but were disappointed by the "lack of a political package".
"Economic packages do not solve disputes like Kashmir," said shopkeeper Mohammed Yousuf.
"I was expecting him to take forward the peace process initiated by Atal Behari Vajpayee (former Indian premier) in Kashmir," said Mr Yousuf. "But it seems he has hardened his stance both vis-a-vis separatists and Pakistan."
Mr Vajpayee extended a "hand of friendship" to Pakistan last year from the same venue where Mr Singh addressed Kashmiris on Wednesday. Since Mr Vajpayee's speech Pakistan and India have been mending their relations.
Reacting to various ideas put forth by President Pervez Musharraf on how to resolve the issue of Kashmir, Mr Singh said India won't redraw "existing borders".
"Pakistan is deadly against conversion of Line of Control (LoC) into a permanent border and India does not want redrawing of borders. It clearly indicates a stalemate," said schoolteacher Arshad Ahmed.
"The visit has left me with hope and a feel good factor, but we still have to go ahead from this," said Puspesh Pant, professor of diplomacy at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.-AFP
