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Abdullah questions Hurriyat credentials

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah Thursday met Union Home Minister L K Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes and discussed with them latest developments in the state.

Later, at a seminar on 'Kashmir Turmoil - Solutions' at the India International Centre, Abdullah said that there was no part in the world where conspiracies were not being hatched against people in Jammu and Kashmir.

"These conspiracies are being hatched in Delhi, Islamabad, Washington and other places. Attempts are being made in America to foist on us a plan moved by the Americans in the early 50's, the Dickson plan. According to it, Jammu, Kathua and Ladakh should go to India and rest of the region should be made into a Greater Kashmir. I am warning the people of India to remain vigilant and not let these conspirators succeed in their mission to divide the state of Jammu and Kashmir," said Dr.Abdullah.

Talking to newsmen, he questioned the credentials of Hurriyat leaders to initiate talks on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "Who are these people? What base do they have in Jammu district? Do they represent the feelings and aspirations of the people of Ladakh? We have tested them before and we should not be testing them again and again," he said.

He lauded Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his bold initiative to declare a unilateral cease-fire for the holy month of Ramzan and then extend it by a month. "This man had the guts to go to Lahore and declare his intentions of starting a peace process. But they were cheats and instead sent the army to Kargil. We cannot trust them. Now they claim that they have pulled back their army. Let me see where they have done it. We should not take a hasty step and pull back our forces," he warned.

He said if the Hurriyat leaders have to go to Pakistan to talk to the militant leaders, why should the government talk to them? Instead we should be holding talks with the Government of Pakistan directly. "I am not stopping them from going anywhere. But let me tell you that they do not represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I welcome the extension of the cease-fire by Vajpayee because the people would have said that one month was not long enough to achieve anything. I wish something good comes out of this process of peace. Let the world understand that we want peace. The media has been harping on the Hurriyat Conference all the time. Let them contest elections and show whether they have any support in the state," he said.

He lambasted Hurriyat Conference leaders for playing their cards on behalf of Pakistan. "When they come here they go to the Pakistan High Commission. Now they say that they should be allowed to hold talks with Pakistan. Hurriyat represents Pakistan," he said.

He reconfirmed his statement that whether there was a cease-fire or no cease-fire, he would go after militants and not let them roam around freely in Jammu and Kashmir. "I have said that and I am saying this again that I am not going to let terrorists operate in my state," he said.

When newsmen asked him if he had said that he would not accept talks unless he was also made a party, Abdullah said that the media was putting words in his mouth. "My dear friend, you can write what you like," he said.

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