China has stakes in regional piece: Mirwaiz

SRINAGAR (SANA): Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said the other day that China has stakes in regional peace as certain parts of Kashmir were under its control.

“I believe that China is not a party to the Kashmir conflict but it has a stake as far as peace in the region is concerned. China is a global power and has huge influence in the region and as such also has a direct link with Kashmir as certain parts of the State including Aksai Chin are under its control,” Mirwaiz said while addressing in a the historic Jamia Masjid here.

Referring to the recent Sino-US joint statement issued after a meeting between President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, Mirwaiz said: “Hurriyat Conference welcomes the US-China approach towards addressing the Kashmir issue,” he said.

The Mirwaiz said he was visiting China at the invitation of an NGO who want him to speak on the Kashmir issue and South Asia. “I would go there and present the Hurriyat perspective - to address the Kashmir issue politically,” he said.

“It (Kashmir) is a political and not a territorial problem. It is not a religious dispute and it is not a land dispute between India and Pakistan,” the Mirwaiz said.

Asking pro-freedom leaders to chalk out a joint strategy for a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue, he said, “The solution should be acceptable to India and Pakistan - the other two parties to the issue.

We are attempting to achieve a consensus and cooperation not only within the Executive Council, General Council and Working Committee of the Hurriyat but also among the pro-freedom parties and individuals outside the amalgam so that a unanimous strategy is chalked out for the resolution of Kashmir issue.”

He said the unanimity was required at this crucial juncture to seek the solution of the Kashmir issue in accordance to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

On quiet dialogue with the Government of India, the Mirwaiz said, “the time has gone for sell outs. It is not possible for any individual or party to hand over Kashmir to either India or Pakistan in disregard to the wishes and aspirations of the people.”

Mirwaiz vehemently denied the reports of holding any secret talks with the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram. “Some agencies who don’t want Kashmir issue to be resolved are working behind the scene and some newspapers are supporting them and creating confusion in the minds of people,” he said.

Describing Doda, Baderwah, Poonch and Rajouri districts as integral parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz said, “Residents of all these regions are equal stakeholders of the Kashmir issue. They have given countless sacrifices since 1947 and have suffered along with us. We cannot ignore them,” Mirwaiz said.

He said the people in these districts were being browbeaten and their voices were being muzzled by use of force. “We ensure our support to them and they are part of the struggle. Army, paramilitary forces and Police can’t intimidate them to give up the struggle,” he said.