ISLAMABAD : Consensus eluded the international conference on Kashmir organised by Pugwash, which ended here on Sunday.

Participants were sharply divided on a number of issues though they were unanimous on the need to carry forward the India-Pakistan peace process and the quest for a solution of the Kashmir issue.

Self-governance, de-militarisation and terrorism were the sticky points. As a result the organisers of the conference, the second of its kind, bringing together leaders from India, Pakistan and the two sides of Kashmir, chose to skip the customary consensus statement.

Among those who took part in the three-day meet from March 10 included the former President and Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Sardar Qayyum, National Conference leader and former Union Minister Omar Abdullah and representatives of various political parties in both parts of Kashmir. Talat Masood, convener of the Pakistan chapter of Pugwash, told reporters that while there was a convergence of views on the need to speed up the India-Pakistan and intra-Kashmir dialogue process, the divergence pertained to priorities.

Sequence of steps

"The differences were essentially on the sequence of steps needed to give a push to the process. There was no commonality of views on terrorism and de-militarisation. At the same time the conference achieved the objective of getting together leaders of various hues on one platform and engage each other on the dynamics of the India-Pakistan peace dialogue and the ground realities in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Mr. Abdullah told The Hindu that he was returning home with the impression that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has shown greater flexibility than Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in moving forward the peace process and the dialogue on Kashmir and it was time New Delhi responded to the pro-active approach of Gen. Musharraf.

"For me personally it has been a very good visit. Though I was aware that I would have an opportunity for an interaction with Gen. Musharraf, the response I have got here has far surpassed my expectations. I am particularly pleased to note that so many political leaders in Pakistan were comfortable in sharing the platform with me though there is no shift in the policy of my party on resolution of Kashmir issue," he maintained.

Mr. Abdullah said India should seriously consider withdrawal of forces from areas in Kashmir where there was decline in violence. "After all India has acknowledged time and again that there is vast improvement in the ground situation. Why can't the Government send the troops to the barracks even if it is hesitant to send them out of the valley?" he asked.

High expectations

Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, CPI (M) member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly said it would be unfair to term the conference a flop. "Such characterisation is the result of high expectations that the conference would throw up a solution to Kashmir. It is impractical and unreasonable to expect a conference to come up with a solution to problem that has eluded for six decades."

The conference provided an opportunity for Kashmiris to meet and understand each other's view point. "It has certainly helped in lessening the confusion in our minds on the issues and possible solutions."

Mr. Tarigami said New Delhi and Islamabad must use their influence to facilitate the return of Pandits to the Valley as well those who had moved into PoK and Pakistan after the militant phase. "I also firmly believe that the militants in Kashmir need to be engaged purposefully to make the India-Pakistan dialogue meaningful."

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