17 April 2005	Sunday	07 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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SRINAGAR, April 16: The Hizbul Mujahideen on Saturday renewed an offer to hold talks with New Delhi to resolve the Kashmir issue.

“If India invites us for talks, we’ll come to the table,” said the organization’s chief Syed Salahuddin in an interview carried by the Zee News.

But the dialogue “should be serious and sincere and involve no political manoeuvring,” he said.

Mr Salahuddin said the freedom fighters did not oppose the 14-month peace process between Pakistan and India.

“We want India and Pakistan to come closer because it augurs well for India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris” and reduces chances of war, he said.

But, he said, New Delhi could not only offer confidence-building measures such as increased people-to-people contacts.

“As long as the core issue of Kashmir is not addressed there will be no progress” toward a lasting settlement, he said.

He said the freedom fighters would consider laying down arms if India “stopped military operations against the rebels, separatists are released from jails and an atmosphere of goodwill is created.”

“If the two governments move towards a resolution according to the aspirations of the Kashmiris, we would not use the gun,” he said.

BUS SERVICE: Mr Salahuddin said the freedom fighters should not oppose the bus service linking occupied and Azad Kashmir.

“No freedom fighter will attack or fire a single bullet on the bus,” he said.

He said he wanted to visit Srinagar. “I have my neighbours there, my friends are there,” he said. “It’s my birthright to visit Srinagar,” said Mr Salahuddin, who hails from Budgam.—AFP