Blackwill rebuff leaves separatists red-faced

The three-day "familiarisation tour" of the United States Ambassador Robert D Blackwill to Jammu and Kashmir has left separatist leaders "red-faced." He not only refused to meet anyone of them, but also condemned the ongoing terrorist violence in the state.

Deviating from the past, Blackwill is possibly the only US diplomat who did not meet separatist leaders on a visit to the state.

The American ambassador instead chose to be briefed on the current security scenario by army commanders. He also visited several forward posts in Northern Kashmir.

A few American diplomats had held consultations with top All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders in Srinagar before Blackwill's visit to the Valley. The amalgam was hoping that the ambassador would meet them.

Blackwill added insult to injury when he said that the international campaign against terrorism was incomplete unless the violence in Jammu and Kashmir was dealt with.

The Hurriyat has all along maintained that the violence in the Valley is a freedom struggle.