I’ll post some reports below. First some thoughts:
I saw the breakfast press briefing by Musharraf to a group of Indian newspaper editors on Monday morning (April 18).
The man was confident as before but all the commando style bravado of Agra was gone. He seemed calm but thoughtful and did not even get angry at some provocative questions. He hinted that he may not be Pak’s leader forever and issues need to be solved. Last year he said that he can solve Kashmir in a day. Now he said he understood that Kashmir will take years to solve and the environment “mahaul” needs to be set, without imposing artificial timelines. He also said for the first time that there is a “change in attitude” in Pakistan and him personally about Kashmir and how to treat it.
Musharraf also said that the change has been brought on by 9/11 and the realization that terrorism and force cannot be used to solve problems but at the same time conflicts have to be resolved. He also said that economics is now more important than before.
For all the bad blood of the past, I think it is good that India is taking Musharraf’s views for peace seriously and offering concessions. India needs to consider more concessions, like:
Pausing work on Baglihar project while inviting neutral experts to see if it violates IWT. Also try to see if India can do anything to alleviate Pakistan’s concerns on water supply.
Reducing troops from population centers in the Kashmir valley by 100,000 or so, even if it leads to a temporary increase in jihadi activity. If they kill more civilians, they will only increase international condemnation and isolation.
Offer trade concessions to Pak.
Proceed gradually but steadily on Kashmir, while not appearing to be intransigent. Musharraf needs India to stay humble and magnanimous to sell this approach in Pakistan.
I think we are at the cusp of realizing peace in the subcontinent. There will be challenges to this from vested interests, on both sides. We need to take it forward nonetheless.
Thank you President Musharraf for the bold steps.! :k:
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Earlier, Musharraf said the talks with his Indian counterpart were more successful than he had expected, but warned that settling the Kashmir dispute would take a long time.
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**Musharraf said there had been a change in attitude in Pakistan about Kashmir, **:k: which is split between the neighbors but claimed in its entirety by both. The two nuclear armed rivals have fought two wars over it.
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‘‘Domestically there a realization that the military option is not the option any more,’’ he said at a breakfast meeting with Indian journalists. ‘‘The strategy of a coercive diplomacy is no more an option.’’
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**‘‘Our achievements on all issues are more than what I expected,’’ Musharraf said. But on Kashmir, he said ‘‘it will need a lot of time and wisdom to arrive at a settlement. Let us go step by step.’’ ** :k:
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Officials from both sides had worked through the night to fine tune the language of the joint statement, issued at the end of Musharraf’s three-day visit. The two leaders looked pleased with the outcome of their talks. Political observers said the talks were a success.
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‘‘It is a big push forward,’’ said M.K. Rasgotra, a former Indian diplomat. ‘‘Both sides have shown flexibility and displayed pragmatism, especially on the Kashmir issue.’’
. Talat Masood, a former general of the Pakistani army, said Islamabad appeared reconciled to ‘‘India’s position on the territorial aspect of Kashmir.’’ ---------------------------
“LoC cannot be accepted as final solution…PM (Manmahon) accepts it”
In this spirit the two leaders addressed the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to continue these discussions in a sincere and purposeful manner for a final settlement.
Musharraf calls for out-of-box solution
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said India and Pakistan needed to discuss Kashmir by analysing in deeper context the issue of independence, self-governance, autonomy, joint control and joint management to arrive at an “out-of-the-box solution.” He said unless the Kashmir dispute was resolved the problem could “erupt” in the future under a different leadership and different environment in the two countries. He said agreements mean nothing in different environment and under different leadership. While interacting with editors of major newspapers on Monday, Musharraf said that all these issues have “different shades and connotations and therefore needed to be analysed in a deeper context”. He said while resolving the Kashmir issue step by step, there was need to generate public debate and support among the people involved – Kashmiris.
“Right now, we are having a very good relationship with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. But nobody is permanent in this world,” Musharraf said emphasising that the issue has to be resolved. Musharraf virtually brushed aside Indian stand that boundaries cannot be altered and made it clear that Line of Control cannot be the final solution. “I keep hearing boundaries cannot be altered. At the same time, Line of Control cannot be accepted as a final solution and I know Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) also absolutely accepts it,” he said. He urged both countries to work for a situation where “borders do not matter.” A solution has to be found within these parameters, he said. “We have to reflect forward 10 years from now we have to resolve the issue acceptable to India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.” he said.
Re: “LoC cannot be accepted as final solution…PM (Manmahon) accepts it”
Secret: PM-Jiabao agree on territory swap
Very possibly in one-to-one talks between prime minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, an agreement has been reached where India will forego its claim over Aksai Chin, especially eight or nine tactically crucial peaks, while China will give up the Eastern Sector. Top officials said the agreement was informal and secret yet, and wouldn’t be contained in the documents signed between the two countries during Jiabao’s visit, but dissonance has been noted in China insisting on “respect for history” in the guiding principles of bilateral relationship-building, while India has reiterated a necessity for “accommodation of reality”.
Meanwhile, both sides have agreed for exchange of maps and disputed claims in the middle sector, and the established working principle is that disputed territories less than twenty kilometres will remain with the possessor, while larger areas will be scrutinised by the JWG on the border dispute, whose work has been decided to be expedited. The Aksai Chin-Eastern Sector swap would be strictly exchange of territories and not populations, but India has queried the Chinese side about the status of the nomadic Tibetan refugees from Aksai Chin who have stayed on in India.
Re: “LoC cannot be accepted as final solution…PM (Manmahon) accepts it”
Rediff nicely predicted all of the concessions to Pakistan
Pakistan is negotiating because suddenly the post-9/11 world became extraordinarily complicated for a spot of jihadi terror and the Americans are promising them half a loaf now (the soft J&K border) with an unambiguous signal that much more is likely to follow later.
Re: "LoC cannot be accepted as final solution...PM (Manmahon) accepts it"
:D pm accepts what.. he he.. its only what Mushraf said.. he is saying to pakistan.. its for pakistani people. Do u think the general public will take Mushraf seriously. His credibility is long lost because of Kargil.
My personal opinion is convert the LOC as the international boundary and let everyone live in peace.
There is no better solution and there cant be a better solution than this.:)
Re: Musharraf: Change in Pakistan’s thinking about Kashmir
Quote:
Pakistan has refused to recognise the heavily militarised Line of Control across Kashmir as a permanent international border, as India would like, but is acquiescing to its emergence as a “soft border”. **This means, in effect, that both countries are putting aside the boundary dispute in the hope that improved relations will facilitate a settlement at a later date. This represents a shift in position for Pakistan, which has in the past insisted on a Kashmir deal. **
*“After more than 55 years, the two countries have decided that the Line of Control is not a line carved on stone but drawn on sand,” says MJ Akbar. *
**India-Pakistan joint statement **
Text of the joint statement signed between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan in Delhi:
The President of Pakistan, His Excellency General Pervez Musharraf and Begum Sehba Musharraf visited New Delhi as guests of the Prime Minister of India and Shrimati Gursharan Kaur on 16 to 18 April 2005.
While in New Delhi, the President of Pakistan called on the President of India. He also had a meeting with the Prime Minister of India, who hosted a dinner in his honour. The President also watched the last one-day international cricket match between India and Pakistan.
The President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of India used the opportunity provided by the visit to review progress in Pakistan-India relations. They assessed positively the progress that had been made so far through confidence building, people-to-people contacts and enhancing areas of interactions and determined to build on the momentum already achieved.
They reaffirmed the commitments made in the Joint Press Statement of January 6, 2004 and the Joint Statement issued after their meeting in New York on September 24, 2004 and expressed satisfaction on the progress in the peace process and the improvement of relations between the two countries that has since been realised.
Conscious of the historic opportunity created by the improved environment in relations and the overwhelming desire of the peoples of the two countries for durable peace and recognising their responsibility to continue to move forward towards that objective, the two leaders had substantive talks on all issues. They determined that the peace process was now irreversible.
**6. In this spirit the two leaders addressed the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to continue these discussions in a sincere and purposeful and forward looking manner for a final settlement. They were satisfied with the discussions and expressed their determination to work together to carry forward the process and to bring the benefit of peace to their people. **
**7. They also agreed to pursue further measures to enhance interaction and cooperation across the LoC including agreed meeting points for divided families, trade, pilgrimages and cultural interaction. **
**8. They condemned attempts to disrupt the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and welcomed its successful operationalisation. The two leaders pledged that they would not allow terrorism to impede the peace process. **
**9. They decided to increase the frequency of the bus service and also decided that trucks would be allowed to use this route to promote trade. They also agreed to operationalise additional routes including that between Poonch and Rawalakot. They also look forward to early start of the bus service between Amritsar and Lahore and to religious places such as Nankana Sahib. **
They agreed to re-establish the Khokhrapar-Munnabao route by 1st January 2006.
They agreed that the Consulates General of the two countries in Mumbai and Karachi respectively would be opened before the end of the current year.
They endorsed the decisions taken in the meeting of Foreign Secretaries of the two countries on 27-28 December 2004, and the Foreign Minister on 15-17 February 2005, on the schedule of meetings later in the year, the agreements to be worked upon through these meetings and the measures to be taken to alleviate the situation of prisoners.
**13. On the issues of Sir Creek and Siachen, they instructed that the existing institutional mechanisms should convene discussions immediately with a view to finding mutually acceptable solutions to both issues expeditiously. **
It was agreed that the Ministers of Petroleum and Natural Gas would meet in May to explore cooperation in the sector including on the issue of pipelines.
Both leaders agreed that enhanced economic and commercial cooperation would contribute to the well-being of the peoples of the two countries and bring a higher level of prosperity for the region. The two leading economies of South Asia should work together for the greater prosperity of the region.
The leaders decided to reactivate the Joint Economic Commission as early as possible. They also agreed that the Joint Business Council should meet soon. 17. The President of Pakistan conveyed his gratitude for the hospitality provided during the visit and invited the Prime Minister to visit Pakistan. The invitation was accepted in principle. Mutually agreed dates would be worked out through diplomatic channels. New Delhi April 18, 2005
Re: Musharraf in Delhi:negotiations,stances,results,conclusions & Joint Statement(merger)
:) Step in the right direction. It is extremely important to promote people to people contact thru porous borders, increased traffic, easier visa issuance methods (visa on arrival), continued exchange of ideas thru intellectuals, students, doctors ect etc i.e., civil society should take the lead here and try and minimize role of governments. Last 50odd years our beuracrats/politicians/army generals/religious elite have misled people on both sides of the borders in pursuite of their selfish objectives. Empowerment to the people will mean friendlier relations, better economic opportunities, stable borders, reduced defence expenditures and increase in budgetry expenditures on health, education and other important services.
Kashmiris would benefit once families are able to unite thru relaxed borders, increased traffic and enhanced trade links between the two regions. Once ppl on both sides of the border get to know each other as human beings and not as an object to hate, things will progress like any other civil society and hopefully unite the Kashmiri ppl separated by enforced borders.
Silencing the guns on both sides of the border is extremely important to sustain this caravan of peace and here it is the responsibilty of India & Pakistan Governments to ensure continuity thru proper security measures. :)
Re: Musharraf in Delhi:negotiations,stances,results,conclusions & Joint Statement(merger)
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When the military made war, it made no sense to anyone. When it makes peace it swings to the other extreme, its pacifism making as little sense as its jingoism.
Re: Musharraf in Delhi:negotiations,stances,results,conclusions & Joint Statement(merger)
**Kashmir solution with status quo in the offing? **
From Ghulam Nabi Khayal
SRINAGAR - Both India and Pakistan have agreed on a possible solution to the Kashmir problem involving some redrawing of borders but not conceding any major part of Jammu and Kashmir territory to each other.
Sources close to the Prime Minister’s office in New Delhi told this correspondent on phone that this solution had already been disclosed to the leadership of All Parties Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Omar Farooq who met President Musharraf in New Delhi when he was there a few days ago. Mirwaiz, when contacted, did not comment on this development but one of his aides said this plan was actually accepted by the APHC (Omar) but almost rejected by APHC (Geelani).
According to plan, both the governments shall give greater autonomy to their areas of J&K state. In the Indian Held Kashmir the pre-1953 status shall be revived which unites this State with the Indian union only on the subjects of foreign affairs, communications and defence. Rest of the internal autonomy shall be revived and the offices of the president and the prime minister, instead of the governor and the chief minister, shall be restored.
A similar plan has been drawn for Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Though the offices of president and the prime minister exist in Azad Kashmir, an equal status shall be introduced in Gilgit-Baltistan with greater autonomy given to both these regions under Pakistani control at present.
The softening of borders with free travel between Srinagar and Azad Kashmir is also on the cards. The Line of Control, with some adjustments, might be made into an international border.
This plan though kept secret for the time being has somehow leaked out from the prime minister’s office in Delhi.
The disclosure of the Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed that the Kashmir problem shall be resolved before 2008 seems to be based on this ‘mutually accepted’ plan
