Hurriyat Conference welcomes US stance on Kashmir

The stance of the US that it is open to exploring any role in resolving the Kashmir issue is indicative of the world community's growing interest in achieving peace in South Asia, moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference today said.

"The US statement that it is open to exploring any role in resolving Kashmir issue is a matter of great satisfaction as it signifies the growing interest of the world powers in peaceful resolution of the problem which is seen as a big threat to world peace especially in South Asia," Hurriyat said in a statement here.

It said the US statement also negates the Indian claim that Kashmir is an internal issue of the country.

A senior US official on November 6 said in Washington that it is open to exploring any role in resolving the Kashmir issue only if asked by them. "I think that if there is something that both countries would want us to play (on Kashmir), .. it is something that we would be open to discussing and exploring, but we are not getting in the middle of this. This is for the two of them to figure it out," the official said.

The Hurriyat said ignoring the offer to play for help in resolution of the issue by countries like China and the US will push the region into uncertainty and dangerous situation.

"India should respect the wishes of the international community and take their help to move forward towards resolution," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Hurriyat said its chairman along with senior leaders Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone left for New Delhi to meet Pakistan's envoy on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

The Hurriyat had received an invitation from Pakistani High Commission for deliberations with Aziz tomorrow on Kashmir and present political situation in the region.