'Conversion of LoC unacceptable'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 4. The Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, has said that the oft-repeated proposal to convert the Line of Control into a permanent border, as a solution to the Kashmir problem, was not acceptable to Islamabad.

In an interview to the Pakistan English daily, The News, Mr. Sattar said ``status quo is the problem. It cannot be a solution. A solution has to be responsive to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. They have sacrificed 75,000 lives in the struggle for freedom.''

Mr. Sattar said the LoC was the result of the ceasefire of December 17, 1971, and was so described in the Shilma Agreement. ``It could not and did not prejudice or compromise the right of the people of Kashmir to self- determination. They, as well as Pakistan, have made it clear that a clear settlement must be responsive to the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.''

Asked to explain what Pakistan meant by a ``flexible approach'' vis-a-vis the coming summit meeting between the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Mr. Sattar said: ``We will be going to New Delhi with an open mind of making the summit a success. We hope the Indian side will also have the same approach.'' On Pakistan's approach to the Kashmir dispute, the Minister said that solution to the problem was identified fifty years ago.

``The Kashmiri people have to be allowed to exercise their right of self-determination. This is their birthright. It was pledged to them by Pakistan and India, and by the international community in U.N. Security Council resolutions.''

The All-Party Hurriyat Conference, ``which leads the Kashmiri freedom struggle,'' favoured improvement of relations between Pakistan and India. The Hurriyat had said that resolution of Kashmir issue required the involvement of Kashmiris.

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Section  : International
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