Mirwaiz to raise Kashmir at UN meet

Mirwaiz will leave for New York on Tuesday to attend the ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) contact group on Kashmir, to be held during the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters. He has also been invited to the annual co-ordination meeting of the foreign ministers of OIC member states on September 28. The Centre has permitted him to attend the New York meet.

Farooq told Deccan Herald: “I am not going to New York to cause any embarrassment to the government of India. I am going to plead our own case, which is very strong. Kashmiris are not against any country or religion, but we want a solution to the Kashmir issue as per our aspirations.”

Wrong impression
He said he would try to persuade the US government to pressurise the government of India for a dialogue with the Kashmiris to find a solution to the issue. He alleged that a wrong impression was being created that Kashmiris were against India and its people.
“This impression is absolutely wrong. What we expect from New Delhi is to fulfil its commitment regarding the right of self-determination, which it had promised the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are also demanding a solution to the Kashmir issue through talks between the Kashmiris, India and Pakistan,” he said.

Asked whether his faction was ready for talks with the Centre, the Hurriyat chairman said the government should first create a conducive atmosphere for a dialogue. “How can talks be held when our senior leaders are in jails and there are restrictions on our movement in Kashmir,” he asked. Farooq added that all the detained leaders should be released first and then the talks process started. He, however, hastened to add that the government of India should not sideline Pakistan while holding talks with Kashmiris.
“Talks must be held between the Kashmiris, India and Pakistan. Bilateral talks are not a solution,” he said.