Author: Amir Zia
Publication: Associated Press
Date: January 2, 2001
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Militants
battling Indian soldiers in disputed Kashmir pledged Tuesday to continue
their secessionist war despite political talks planned for later this month
and recent moves toward peace.
"We won't reduce our attacks against
the Indian army nor will we allow New Delhi to use meaningless talks as
a delaying tactic," Farooq Kashmiri, chief of the militant group Harakat-ul
Mujahedeen, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "Our struggle
will continue until Kashmir is liberated."
Since 1989, Muslim militants headquartered
in Pakistan have been waging a war in the Indian part of Kashmir, demanding
either outright independence or union with Islamic Pakistan. Both countries
lay claim to Kashmir, which was divided between them following the end
of British rule in 1947.
Pakistan and mainly Hindu India
have taken steps in recent weeks to reduce tensions in Kashmir, the flashpoint
of two previous wars between the neighbors.
India last month offered a unilateral
cease-fire to secessionist militants in its territory. Pakistan reciprocated
with a truce offer. India has since extended its cease-fire, and Pakistan
has begun withdrawing troops from the disputed border.
Leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat
Conference - an alliance of 23 separatist groups in the Indian part of
Kashmir - will visit Pakistan later this month to meet with its government
and militant groups based there. The meetings would be a prelude to possible
peace talks with Indian and Pakistani leaders.
"Our leaders are coming to Pakistan
to take into confidence the government of Pakistan and the mujahedeen leadership
before holding talks with India. We eventually want tripartite talks that
includes India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris," said Ghulam Mohammed Safi,
an All Parties Hurriyat Conference spokesman in Pakistan.
Pakistan also wants three-way talks.
India has refused to talk to Pakistan, demanding its neighbor first stop
cross-border incursions by militants. India accuses Pakistan of arming
and training rebels. Pakistan denies the charge, saying its support is
limited to political and moral aid.
On Monday, Indian Prime Minister
Atal Bihari Vajpayee offered renewed talks with Pakistan, but his conditions
were vague.
"We're prepared to recommence talks
with Pakistan at any level, including the highest level, provided Islamabad
gives sufficient proof of its preparedness to create a conducive atmosphere
for a meaningful dialogue," he said.
In India, leaders of the Hurriyat
conference on Tuesday urged residents to boycott the first village elections
in two decades in Jammu-Kashmir state - the Indian part of Kashmir - calling
it an "undemocratic drama."
Indian authorities have called elections
for village councils in the state beginning Jan. 15 and spread over 10
weeks.
The voting has been postponed three
times in the past four years because of the fighting in the area.
"The election is aimed at sabotaging
Kashmir's freedom struggle," the alliance said in a statement. "We appeal
to people to boycott the elections."