US adopts Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir

[dabong1]

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: The US said on Thursday that it wants the Kashmir issue resolved in line with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir – a statement that reflects Pakistan’s stance on the long-standing dispute.

Addressing a press conference after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns – on a three-day visit to India – stunned reporters by saying that the Kashmir issue had to be settled in line with the aspirations of Kashmiris. “It remains our view that a resolution of that issue has to take into account wishes of the Kashmiri people,” he said.

Burns said the US would continue to push the Pakistani government to act against terrorists, as “they are source of instability for the entire world”.

However, Burns also asked New Delhi not to underestimate the seriousness of and difficulties faced by Islamabad in its effort to contain extremists and terrorists.

While Burns emphasised the need for Indo-Pak dialogue, he indicated that the US would let the two countries work out things on their own. “The US has always welcomed dialogue ... but it is also obvious the pace and scope is something for the Indian and Pakistani leadership to decide. How and when to approach that dialogue is for them to decide,” he said.

Burns also asked the international community to help internally displaced Pakistanis, as the issue needed significant international response.

He also announced that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would visit India in the second half of July.

Burns said the US would continue to ask the Pakistani government to act immediately and effectively on Indian concerns to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of Mumbai terror attacks.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[dabong1]

‘Police to replace paramilitary force in IHK’

NEW DELHI: Police will gradually replace the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK), Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram said on Thursday. The Indian home minister said the Centre would like the paramilitary forces to play only a secondary role in the troubled state. The decision was taken in a Unified Headquarters meeting to review law and order in the region. “We would like to take small, baby steps one by one and no great leap in Kashmir,” Chidambaram said. app
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I don't think this alludes to support for a plebiscite, but it might involve the steps proposed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and others:

Mirwaiz for CBMs to resolve Kashmir​

SRINAGAR (SANA): Chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has said that India should take concrete steps in the State for creating an atmosphere conducive for holding a dialogue for resolution of Kashmir issue with all the stakeholders.

“No progress can be made in the dialogue process between India, Pakistan and leadership of Kashmir unless confidence building measures with far reaching consequences are taken to practically change the ground situation which at present is violent and bloody,” Mirwaiz told reporters at his Nigeen residence where he is under house arrest.

The Hurriyat chairman said his faction did not believe in ‘talks for the sake of talks’ adding concrete steps were needed to move forward towards a resolution of Kashmir issue as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of the State.

“There is a need for serious dialogue aimed at resolution of Kashmir issue between India, Pakistan and Kashmiri leadership,” he said.

Mirwaiz suggested a series of steps that could be taken by Government of India for confidence building and preventing a nuclear disaster in the south Asian region.

“All the draconian laws including Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Public Safety Act and Disturbed Areas Act have to be revoked and demilitarization of the State in a phased and gradual manner has to be done,” he said.

He said a mechanism has to be devised whereby there will be free trade and free movement of people between the divided parts of Kashmir across the Line of Control and the Governments of India and Pakistan must work to remove the impediments in its way.

Mirwaiz said his Hurriyat had supported every move aimed at resolution of Kashmir issue and would continue to find ways and means to achieve this goal as per wishes and aspirations of the people...
SOUTH ASIAN NEWS AGENCY (SANA) | Mirwaiz for CBMs to resolve Kashmir

 

[Neo]

US policy shift on Kashmir irks India​

NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE: India is concerned at what is being perceived as a shift in the US policy towards Kashmir. Officially the ministry of external affairs maintained that there is no such shift in policy by the Obama administration, but sources confirmed that New Delhi is worried at the change in attitude.

The most obvious instance of this new thinking came last week during the visit of US under secretary, Mr William Burns, when he said the USA favoured a solution of the Kashmir dispute that takes the “wishes” of Kashmiris into account. Foreign secretary, Mr Shivshankar Menon, tried to play down the comment yesterday. He said, “The simple thing is I don’t see a shift... I think, we have seen statements like this in the past and I am sure we will see them in the future.”

While pointing out that Mr Menon had no option but to toe this line in public, sources said Mr Burns’ statement is worrisome as it suggests that the current process underway in the valley lacks the consent or the wishes of the people of Kashmir. sns

 

[Neo]

Indian Congress snubs Burns over Kashmir remarks​

NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Friday snubbed visiting US envoy for asking India to resolve the Kashmir issue as per the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Reacting abruptly to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns’ comment at a press conference on Thursday, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said there was no scope for a third party’s intervention on the Kashmir issue. He rejected a suggestion that the US was trying to dictate terms on resolving the Kashmir issue as emboldened from India entering into a nuclear deal with the US.