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Pressing for demilitarisation of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has offered to withdraw his troops from the Line of Control (LoC) as part of an overall settlement of the Kashmir issue and favoured implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution.
Musharraf, in an article in the latest issue of Kashmir Affairs magazine published here, emphasised on the four-point proposal, including setting aside options unacceptable to either side, to resolve the vexed issue.
The other proposals are acceptance of the "dispute" of Kashmir, meaningful and sustained dialogue process and examining other possible solutions acceptable to all parties, "mainly to the people of Jammu and Kashmir."
Insisting on demilitarisation, Musharraf said it "can also be part of the overall settlement. On our part we are prepared to withdraw our troops from the Line of Control as part of an overall settlement."
He recalled that he had earlier suggested that in the main cities of Jammu and Kashmir - Srinagar, Kupwara and Baramulla, "all troops could be moved out to the outskirts in order to demilitarise the cities.
"Let us use all our energies, all of our resources and all our influence to ensure that there is no militancy in these cities."
Referring to the "role and the responsibility of the international community in helping both Pakistan and India to make progress and solve this long outstanding dispute of Kashmir," he said the UN Security Council Resolution represents "a solemn commitment and promise by international community to the people of Kashmir."
Musharraf said: "Regrettably, over the decades these resolutions have been unimplemented despite representing an international legality. Within the United Nations and other important world forums such as the European Parliament there is a great deal of emphasis on upholding freedoms and human rights."
"The protagonists of these values cannot reside from their responsibility to address a dispute that represents denial of fundamental rights to the people as promised and sanctified internationally in the shape of the United Nations Security Council Resolution.
"We believe that this resolution is the best form of confidence building, the best assurance for peace and thereby an effective catalyst for progress and economic development," he said.
Interestingly, both former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and European Union rapporteur Emma Nicholson have clearly stated that the UN resolutions on self-determination were not implementable as Pakistan had failed to fulfill the grounds for implementing them.
Musharraf stressed that the history of the Kashmir issue is inextricably linked to the interests of Pakistan and India. He said there ought to be institutional arrangements, which could accommodate these interests to ensure "self-governance" by the people of Kashmir.
Musharraf said confidence building measures (CBMs) by the two countries are certainly important to create a better environment but the "peace process has to move beyond CBMs which are largely a means towards an end and not an end in itself."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mush_offers_to_withdraw_troops_from_LoC/articleshow/2101087.cms
Musharraf, in an article in the latest issue of Kashmir Affairs magazine published here, emphasised on the four-point proposal, including setting aside options unacceptable to either side, to resolve the vexed issue.
The other proposals are acceptance of the "dispute" of Kashmir, meaningful and sustained dialogue process and examining other possible solutions acceptable to all parties, "mainly to the people of Jammu and Kashmir."
Insisting on demilitarisation, Musharraf said it "can also be part of the overall settlement. On our part we are prepared to withdraw our troops from the Line of Control as part of an overall settlement."
He recalled that he had earlier suggested that in the main cities of Jammu and Kashmir - Srinagar, Kupwara and Baramulla, "all troops could be moved out to the outskirts in order to demilitarise the cities.
"Let us use all our energies, all of our resources and all our influence to ensure that there is no militancy in these cities."
Referring to the "role and the responsibility of the international community in helping both Pakistan and India to make progress and solve this long outstanding dispute of Kashmir," he said the UN Security Council Resolution represents "a solemn commitment and promise by international community to the people of Kashmir."
Musharraf said: "Regrettably, over the decades these resolutions have been unimplemented despite representing an international legality. Within the United Nations and other important world forums such as the European Parliament there is a great deal of emphasis on upholding freedoms and human rights."
"The protagonists of these values cannot reside from their responsibility to address a dispute that represents denial of fundamental rights to the people as promised and sanctified internationally in the shape of the United Nations Security Council Resolution.
"We believe that this resolution is the best form of confidence building, the best assurance for peace and thereby an effective catalyst for progress and economic development," he said.
Interestingly, both former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and European Union rapporteur Emma Nicholson have clearly stated that the UN resolutions on self-determination were not implementable as Pakistan had failed to fulfill the grounds for implementing them.
Musharraf stressed that the history of the Kashmir issue is inextricably linked to the interests of Pakistan and India. He said there ought to be institutional arrangements, which could accommodate these interests to ensure "self-governance" by the people of Kashmir.
Musharraf said confidence building measures (CBMs) by the two countries are certainly important to create a better environment but the "peace process has to move beyond CBMs which are largely a means towards an end and not an end in itself."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mush_offers_to_withdraw_troops_from_LoC/articleshow/2101087.cms
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