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Musharraf-Hurriyat meeting no big deal: George Fernandes, Congress

"I think India should neither have any reservations on it nor make it a prestige issue," Fernandes told reporters in Lucknow on Tuesday.

The former defence minister said India was not on the defensive in the run-up to the Agra summit. "Our ultimate objective is to achieve peace in the region," he added.

Fernandes said the parleys between the two heads of government were not going to solve all the problems immediately but would help in building an understanding to resolve various issues.

He expressed doubts about Musharraf taking bold decisions keeping in view different pressure groups operating in his country, like the Inter Services intelligence (ISI).

The Samata Party leader hoped Musharraf had taken all these factors into account before entering into a dialogue with India.

"I am sure the Pakistan president will be able to implement the decisions taken at the summit," he said.

Replying to a question, Fernandes said the issue of withdrawal of troops from Siachen and Kargil should not be linked to confidence building measures taken by the two countries.

"You should not expect a few hours of parleys between the two leaders to resolve the contentious issues. Moreover, border security issues should be kept away, at least in the first (round of) talks," he said.

When a reporter tried to draw a parallel between the Shimla and Lahore summits with the Agra dialogue, Fernandes said, "There can be no comparison as circumstances and situations are different."

He expressed confidence that the issue of fishermen and Indian soldiers lodged in Pakistani jails would also figure during the talks.

Meanwhile, the Congress also dismissed as a 'non-issue' the question of Hurriyat leaders attending the tea party hosted by Pakistan's high commissioner in Delhi and indicated that it would attend the reception.

"The question of Hurriyat leaders attending the tea party is a non-issue. We don't think this is an issue on which political parties are to take a major decision. We don't want to give it undue importance," party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters.

"They are not going to have one-to-one talks with Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf. Hurriyat leaders have no role to play in the summit," he said.

If one-to-one talks between Hurriyat leaders and Gen Musharraf were to take place, he said the party would reconsider its decision to attend the tea party.

Sharma stressed that a tea party on the occasion of the visit of the head of state was a mere formality.

PTI

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