'We will talk to achieve a breakthrough - no
short-cuts, no interim measures.'
Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar
The newly elected chairman of the separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference Professor Abdul Gani Bhat Saturday said autonomy was no solution to the Kashmir dispute.
In his first interview after taking over as the new chairman of the separatist conglomerate, Professor Gani said: "I want everybody to be guided by the political reality. Autonomy is a constitutional arrangement between New Delhi and Srinagar...it is not a permanent solution."
When asked if autonomy could end alienation, as Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah believes, Bhat said: "If Farooq believes autonomy can bring in a permanent settlement (of the Kashmir dispute), my good wishes to him."
Describing Kashmir as a "nuclear flash point," Bhat said the only solution to the problem in his view was tri-partite talks involving the Kashmiris, India and Pakistan.
"The tit-for-tat nuclear blasts have added a new dimension in the sub-continental security scenario. If nuclear peace has to be preserved, we will have to address issues which constitute a threat and Kashmir tops the list."
He said the Kargil war could have led to a nuclear conflict. "One critical lesson we have all learnt from Kargil is that the Kashmir dispute must be resolved as soon as possible."
He said he had no problem if India and Pakistan held discussions on Kashmir. "Let India and Pakistan talk. But If they take APHC into confidence, we will be able to generate the right political climate not only in Kashmir but across the South Asian region for peace and stability."
Responding to Centre's talks offer, Professor Bhat said: "You don't gain anything, but lose many things when you talk for the pleasure of it. I don't say yes or no. But we will talk to achieve a breakthrough - no short-cuts, no interim measures. We want a permanent settlement of the dispute."
When reminded of Home Minister L K Advani's recent statement that the talks must take place within the framework of Constitution, Bhat said: "I don't want to be guided by conditions."
On the prevailing Kashmir situation he said: "I am hopeful we will achieve a breakthrough in the coming months."
Bhat described the human rights situation in Kashmir as "very grave," but added that "these were linked to the root cause of the Kashmir problem."
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