SRINAGAR, Nov 10: The chief of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC)leader said on Saturday he was hopeful the US would work to resolve the Kashmir dispute after a quick end to the Afghanistan conflict.

“The problem of Afghanistan will be over soon,” said Abdul Gani Bhat, the chairman of the 23-party conglomerate, said.

“Hopefully the world attention will get focused on Kashmir and Palestine,” Bhat said.

The APHC has supported US-led fight against terrorism, unlike Mujahideen groups, most of which have expressed support for the Taliban.

“The situation after Sept 11 terror attacks is hopefully emerging in our favour,” said Bhat.

“The chances are brightening. The violence will end as the world is getting serious in resolving the issues that breed violence,” he said.

Bhat said Kashmir, Palestine and Chechnya were the three “most sensitive disputes” facing the world.

“The resolution of these three disputes will bring peace to the entire world,” Bhat said, calling for the United States to take initiatives on the conflicts.

“Being a superpower it has the right to do so,” said Bhat.

The APHC and other Kashmiri organizations have been urging the United States to mediate between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir dispute.

“We expect the democratic countries to throw weight behind us,” said Bhat, “so as to get the vexed Kashmir problem resolved forever.”

APHC, which came into being in 1993, wants resolution of the Kashmir issue either through the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions or through tripartite talks involving Pakistan, India and Kashmiris.

“There is a realization among the people in India, Pakistan and Kashmir that the issue of Kashmir should be resolved forever,” he said.

But the APHC chief said violence has been forced on Kashmiris by New Delhi.

“When all passages to reasons were blocked, the younger generation had no choice but to take to guns,” he said.

“Our peaceful methods to seek an end to the Kashmir problem over the past five decades were not given heed to by India.”

Bhat said that besides fighting terrorism, the United States should also make efforts to end “state terrorism” across the world.

“We are the worst victims of state terrorism,” he said.—AFP