|
|
'The wishes of the Kashmiris cannot be ignored'
Salman Haider : Hello, I am glad to be here. It is a big
moment in the Indo Pak relations and there are considerable expectations. We
hope somelthing good would come out it.
rsajan : What do you say about the role of the
international drug mafia in the Kasmir insurgency? Is it all not a mere case of
narco-terrorism? If so, can there be a solution without the narcotic mafia's
say-so? Salman Haider : Narco terrorism has been identified
as a problem in our region. It complicates the issue in Kashmir. However, I do
not believe that the narcotic mafia are able to determine what will occure when
the leaders meet. They would take their own decisions on the basis of their
respective judgements.
priyag : maybe we can begin with our vies on the
issue Salman Haider : The Indian view is that a broad range
of issues should be discussed. While Pakistan seeks to concentrate only on
Kashmir. This is a traditional difference of approach between the two sides and
underlines the difficulty in any dialogue between them. However, a composite
dialogue with an eight point agenda agreed at Lahore and this might again
surface at Agra.
manic : what are we looking forward to, mr. haider? what
is the buzz so far? Salman Haider : There is excessive buzz,
so much so that nobody really knows what to believe. All would depend on how the
two leaders react to each other and on the degree of trust and confidence that
develops between them.
venkat : hello mr. haider, what importance would u give to
this meeting Salman Haider : I would attach high importance
to this meeting. India and Pakistan have been in a trough and this meeting
should revive communications and permit them to engage them in discussing their
problems with each other.
priyag : what do u suppose the pakistanis have in mind,
besides kashmir Salman Haider : The Iran-Pakistan-India gap
pipeline is one item that may be on the Pakistani agenda. I do not have any
information about other items they may wish to raise apart from Kashmir.
razdan : Will Kashmir be the main issue or the
kashmiris Salman Haider : Good question. The situation and
the wishes of the Kashmiris cannot be ignored.
venkat : would the meeting end wiith a positive note on
indo-iran gas pipeline? Salman Haider : I hope so. This is a
good project which offers benefit to all the parties.
sundaram : Is this meeting is mainlyu due US
pressure? Salman Haider : Some people believe that U S
pressure has pushed the two countries together. Certainly the US and other
countries made no secret of their wish that India and Pakistan should resume
dialogue. My own believe, however, is that this is result of an autonomous
decision not taken under any external pressure or direction.
sanjay : mr haider how is this talks going to be differnt
from the previous one, and will this talk bring any hope of easing of the
tension in kashmir Salman Haider : This time Pakistan will
be represented by its army chief who is also the president, while last time it
was an elected prime minister. This is a material difference, in addition, we
have been through the trauma of Kargil which has left scars. Notwithstanding all
past difficulties I believe that the talk can help to reduce tension and ease
the situation in Kashmir.
Rameshk : Why do u think Pak stresses so much on Kashmir
Issue alone Salman Haider : That is something for Pakistan
to answer rather than someone from this side of border. From the Indian view
this is a mistaken emphasis. The task should be to build friendship and deal
with intractable issue in propertime, without forcing the pace.
raj : Some couple of days back, one of the congress leader
(Mr. Natwar Singh?) said he wasn't sure whether the NDA govt. has done the
necessary homework for the summit etc...common, do you believe that any govt.
will not plan for such a crucial summit? Salman
Haider : Doubtless extensive planning has been undertaken by the
government. Naturally the opposition would be inclined to question what has been
done in order to satisfy itself on the point.
priyag : should huriyat be involved in the
dialogue Salman Haider : No.
khel : How do you forsee the present summitin the context
of kashmir Salman Haider : I do not foresee any breakthrough
agreement on Kashmir but I can envisage agreed measures to reduce infiltration
and violence in the state. Further dialogue on Kashmir and other issues could
well be agreed at the summit.
raj : Should india take up the issue of extradation of
criminals like Dawood with the Pakistani president? Salman
Haider : This is a legitimate cause for concern to India and
whether any result is achieved or not, it is a fit subject to be raised.
sajanr : Normally this would be a time when Musharaff, the
President ought to be struggling for recognition abroad as President. The time
he chose to declare himself President seems to have been most apt, in that he is
now being received by the traditional enemy and critic as President and
acknowledged leader. Is there a hidden, mutually agreed plan in all this? Has
the US twisted India's arms to have this talk now, that Musharaff may manage
easy recognition and acknowledgement? If so, are we not all being taken for a
ride? Salman Haider : The assumption of the presidency by
General Musharraf raised many eye brows including in the United States.
Pakistani spokesman have given their explanation for the move and its timing. I
do not see much by way of any hidden purpose, especially as this move was
predicted in Pakistan long before it took place and long before the invitation
to the summit.
Rameshk : My Haider, What will be the Post Summit Senario
if the talks dont produce desired results?? Salman
Haider : Let us not rush to anticipate failure.
raj : Shouldn't the pakistani embassy have the option to
invite anyone they like? Salman Haider : In my view, the tea
party invtiation has generated excessive heat. Both sides need to ensure that no
unnecessary understandings are created and tactful handling of such essentially
second rate matters as the tea party invitation would be desirable.
tariq : what in your opinion is the posible solution to
the kashmir dispute,which can satisfy all the three parties viz,pakistan, india
and kashmiris? Salman Haider : I have no magic formula to
offer. In my view, India and Pakistan should remain engaged with each other in
order to obtain incremental improvements in the situations and progressively
ease the burden on the State of J&K. A solution is more likely to emerge
from a better bilateral relationship rather then from the present mood of
hostility.
Morphius : do u think it will be another lahore
debacle Salman Haider : Lahore was not a debacle. Even
though what followed it was very demaging. We still refer with approval to the
decisions taken at Lahore. Possibly Agra would reaffirm many of those decisions,
this time with better intention to put them into effect.
sandip : what do u feel that india will maintain the LOC
as permanent border Salman Haider : As of now, Pakistan has
rejected this possibility even though there is considerable sentiment in its
favour in India.
dev_yadav1 : you think the people of the both nation get
sothing? Salman Haider : A successful summit should give
something to each side otherwise agreements would not hold.
Salman Haider : Good bye. Nice talking to you.
|
|