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Peace moves could cost us our lives: Butt

All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Prof Abdul Ghani Butt believes that picking up the threads of peace in Kashmir is a "hazardous move" and can "cost APHC leaders their lives".

But "the risk is worth it", he told rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

For the initiative to succeed, Butt feels "there has to be the collective confidence of all parties concerned".

"All parties have to enter into purposeful negotiations to achieve a breakthrough."

Butt added, "The cease-fire is not an end in itself but a means to an end."

He said, "If you call a cease-fire and don't move forward, the cease-fire will mean nothing, particularly when it is unilateral."

On whether the APHC had approached the government for permission to visit Pakistan, the Hurriyat chairman shot back, "We are undertaking a hazardous exercise that can cost us our lives. The question of requesting any party to allow us to move seems irrelevant."

''We are on a mission," said Butt, and added, "People on a mission will have to enjoy confidence of all parties."

He said, "We will talk to our boys who have rejected the unilateral cease-fire announced by Prime Minister A B Vajpayee", but quickly added, "Boys with guns are the hardest people to be faced. That is our primary objective."

Butt, however, hastened to add, "The boys are sacrificing their lives. They are offering huge sacrifices" and that is why I said "they are the hardest".

"We hope our boys will listen to us and that is why we are taking this hazardous step."

He also clarified that they have not received any offer for talks from the government.

Butt said the government had taken further steps, but added, "India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir have to enter into purposeful dialogue."

He hastened to add, "Miracles don't happen in a day. A 52-year dispute cannot be expected to be sorted out in a day."

"But there has to be a move forward. The path is strewn with thorns and the pricks can cause cancer. We have to tread cautiously."

The cease-fire, Butt said, had to be extended. "They shall have to extend it. Otherwise, a one-month cease-fire call will mean nothing for us."

On the success of negotiations if invited, he said, "Let us hope for the best and prepare for the worst."

Reacting to reports about a possible split in the separatist umbrella group, he clarified, "There are no differences. We are one and the recent statement by various leaders are small, irrelevant issues."

He said the executive would meet on Sunday at the APHC headquarters in Rajbagh. The APHC meet scheduled for Sunday, however, according to sources, is believed to be crucial as also stormy.

Abdul Ghani Lone shall be for the first time face-to-face with an unrelenting Syed Ali Shah Geelani, after the former returned to Srinagar from Pakistan, where he solemnised his son's marriage to Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Amanullah Khan's daughter. The meeting, to be attended by executive members, will discuss the Kashmir situation.

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