US SHOULD ENSURE THIRD PARTY ASSISTANCE FOR KASHMIR: MIRWAIZ

Srinagar Nov 07 (Only Kashmir): "There is no doubt that the visit of Obama is focussed on economic development but it cannot be achieved without political stability and resolution of Kashmir issue is imperative for achieving that goal," Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told reporters at his residence.
The Hurriyat chairman, who is under house arrest, briefed the mediapersons about the amalgam's signature campaign, which began on October 24, seeking US intervention in resolution of the issue.
Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat initiative was not to embarass India during the high-profile visit of the US president but to highlight the need for third party assistance for resolving Kashmir as bilateral dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad over the past many decades had failed to make any progress.
"Bilateralism has failed and there is huge trust deficit between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. In this scenario, third party mediation or assistance has become inevitable," he added.
Mirwaiz expressed surprise that Centre and other political parties in the country take objection to the "mere mention of third party intervention".
"When there are economic disputes (with Pakistan), government of India approaches World Bank or IMF. Why is there aversion to do the same about political issues?" he asked.
The Hurriyat chairman said the amalgam had collected two lakh signatures in the two-week campaign apart from thousands of signatures collected in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
"It is a symbolic initiative... we do not expect the US president to go through all these documents. I have spoken to US embassy officials and they have said that necessary action has been initiated after the mission received a large number of petitions through email and fax," he said.
Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat did not expect any overnight results but a step-by-step approach for resolution of the Kashmir issue.
"The US should appoint a special representative for South Asia if peace and stability is to be achieved in the region," he said, claiming if Kashmir issue was again "put on the backburner, it can push the youth to revive the armed struggle for achieving their goals".
The Hurriyat chairman lauded the role of Indian civil society, saying, "We have been invited to speak at seminars and workshops for creating awareness about Kashmir issue.
We will be visiting Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai after the Eid (falling on November 18 or 19) to explain our viewpoint on Kashmir to the people of India."