Kashmir One Secretariat: December 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

UK understands Jeelani’s “concern over the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir”

Toronto - December 30, 2010: The United Kingdom calls for improvement in the human rights situation in Kashmir and wants a lasting resolution of the Kashmir issue that is according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people, says Minister Alistair Burt.

Mr. Alistair Burt, Minister for Asia at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in a letter thanks Mr. Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director of Peace and Justice Forum (PJF), for his letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron about Kashmir.

Mr. Burt states: “I understand your [Mr. Jeelani’s] concern over the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir.” He further underlines: “The UK continues to call for an improvement in the human rights situation on both sides of the Line of Control and for an end to external support for violence in Kashmir.” Adding: “Funding from the UK supports human rights, conflict prevention, and peace building efforts on both sides of the Line of Control.”

Minister Alistair Burt underscores: “We regularly raise the importance of finding a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir with the Governments of India and Pakistan.”

“But the long standing position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” concludes Mr. Burt.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Separatists lack ability to negotiate with India Nazir Gilani Lastupdate:- Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com

Friday, December 24, 2010

Germany is “following very closely and with great concern the developments in Kashmir”

Toronto December 24, 2010: Germany supports a negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue and welcomes recent initiative to revive the political dialogue between India and Pakistan, says Deputy Head of Division at German Foreign Office.

Mr. Stefan Graf, Deputy Head of Division at German Foreign Office, in a letter thanks Mr. Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director of Peace and Justice Forum (PJF), for his letter to Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel and for his “comprehensive information about the situation in Kashmir.”

The letter underlines, “Germany, together with its partners in the European Union, is following very closely and with great concern the developments in Kashmir.”

He underscores: “We share the assessment that a lasting political solution can be achieved only through political negotiations and confidence building measures.” Adding: “Therefore we welcome the recent initiative to revive the political dialogue between India and Pakistan.”

The Foreign Office letter further emphasises: “Germany, which has consistently supported a sustainable political solution to the conflict in Kashmir, will continue to encourage both sides to look creatively at all potential options for a bilaterally negotiated solution to the Kashmir issue.”

“This is also very important for the stability in the region,” concludes Mr. Graf.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Embassy, People's Republic of China, Islamabad – Pakistan.

Subject: Request to Issue Permit to the Citizens of PAJK and GB to Visit China
Without Pakistani Passport

Excellency,
We take this opportunity to remind your honour that entire Jammu Kashmir including Jammu, Valley of Kashmir, Laddakh and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB including Pakistan-Administered-Jammu Kashmir -PAJK and Indian-Administered-Jammu Kashmir -IAJK) is still disputed according to the UNO's resolutions.

Obviously, the parties involved, their neighbours, the comity of nations and every right thinking person should treat it as such, especially when Pakistan always falls back upon these resolutions). But, we are sorry to point out that your country, our great neighbour, has deviated from this established principle by giving simple permit to the citizens of one part of this territory – IAJK as a substitute for visa without Indian passport, while we are required to produce Pakistani passport for this purpose, which we are forced to use.

You may do as much favour as you can to Pakistan because of your special friendship, but it should not be at the cost of the people of Jammu Kashmir, who have been your neighbour since much before the emergence of Pakistan.

This is despite the fact that we expect of a rising power like China to be fair and just and should maintain her neutrality between India and Pakistan in the matter of Jammu Kashmir dispute; for your neutrality may be helpful to the people of Jammu Kashmir to get their independence sooner or later.

In view of the foregoing, we appeal to your govt. and the state through your excellency to end this discrimination and to adopt the same procedure for issuing visa to the citizens of PAJK and GB as is being done in case of the citizens of IAJK.

Regards.

Yours sincerely,
The Leadership of Jammu Kashmir All Parties National Alliance (APNA)
Through

Arif Shahid
Secy. Gen. APNA
(Tele: 03335175320/Email: arifshahid23@hotmail.com)

EU calls for Kashmiri people’s involvement in resolving the 'Kashmir Issue'

Toronto December 21, 2010:

European Commission very closely follows developments in Kashmir and supports the reconciliation process between India and Pakistan, says European Commission External Relations Directorate General.

Mr. Jean-Christian Remond, Asia Head of European Commission External Relations Directorate General, in a letter to Mr. Mushtaq A. Jeelani, Executive Director of Peace and Justice Forum (PJF), states PJF’s letter “drew President [José Manuel Durão] Barroso’s attention to the situation in Kashmir. President Barroso is aware of this [Kashmir] issue and has asked me to reply on his behalf.”

Mr. Remond writes: “I am sure you [Mr. Jeelani] know that the European Commission and the Delegation of the European Union in New Delhi follow developments in Kashmir very closely.” He further underlines: “The annual visits to Jammu and Kashmir by Delhi-based EU Ambassadors and embassy staff (the ‘Troika’ visits) indeed bear witness to the commitment. During the last such visit in November 2009, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with representatives of political parties, separatist movements, the security forces, civil society, and the universities, in order to assess for itself the situation pertaining there [in Kashmir].”

“It has been a longstanding position of the EU to support the reconciliation process between India and Pakistan and to call for the Kashmiri people themselves to be as involved as possible in this process,” underscores Mr. Remond.

“I took note of your comment regarding a possible mediation by a third party but, in our view, such a course of action would require conditions which are not presently met,” continues Mr. Remond.

“We [European Commission] remain hopeful that dialogue between all parties concerned [the people of Kashmir, India and Pakistan] may begin again, thus assuring the long-term socio-economic and political stability of the region,” concludes Mr. Remond.