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Annexe us, Geelani tells Pak

Annexe us, Geelani tells Pak

Author: M Saleem Pandit
Publication: The Times of India
Date: October 7, 2004
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-876923,curpg-1.cms

Raising doubts over the Centre's move to allow Pakistani journalists to visit Jammu and Kashmir, separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani told them that his Hurriyat faction want Kashmir to be part of Pakistan.

The pro-Pakistan leader was sceptical of New Delhi's intention as well. "The prime objective of government of India in permitting you to visit this state is to use it as a tactic to delay the resolution of Kashmir problem in its historical perspective," Geelani told the visiting journalists who had called on him at breakfast on Thursday.

Geelani said India wanted to bolster its peace credentials by this press diplomacy.

His supporters too voiced their vehement support. When Geelani said he would like Pakistan to annexe Kashmir, the supporters chorused their assent.

Justifying his stand, Geelani said an independent Kashmir was not feasible. It could survive only by being part of the Muslim-majority country.

Replying to a question on the rift in the Hurriyat, Geelani said the other Hurriyat had refused to take action against People's Conference, a constituent of APHC, for fielding its candidate in the last assembly elections.

Like Geelani, Asyia Andrabi, chief of Dhuktaran-e-Millat, too disbelieves the press diplomacy. The lone woman separatist leader even doubted the veracity of the travel documents of the journalists. Andrabai had opposed the visit of Pakistani media persons.

Critics of the visit included the United Jehad Council, an amalgam of 14 militant groups based in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. On Wednesday evening, the council said that the Pakistani journalists were busy attending parties and touring tourist spots, while people were being killed.

Syed Sadaqat Hussain, spokesman of United Jehad Council, said, "The visit raises a question. If India denies permission to Amnesty International, Asia Watch and International Red Cross to visit Kashmir, why have Pakistani journalists been allowed?"

The statement said that since the people of Kashmir have utmost affection for every Pakistani, it is all but natural that they will extend a rousing welcome to the visiting journalists.

The council even threatened that the visit will create a gulf between Pakistan and Kashmiris, if the visiting journalists do not reach out to the "victims of Indian atrocities".
 


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