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Shabir Shah hopeful of positive outcome

Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party chairman Shabir Shah has expressed the hope that something positive would emerge from talks between his two-member delegation and government nominee K C Pant.

"The talks are slated for Thursday evening and I am confident that something good will emerge out this meeting between Pantsahib and our party chief organiser Saleem Geelani and secretary general Maulana Abdullah Tari," Shah told rediff.com from his office in Srinagar over the telephone.

On why he was hopeful about the outcome when Hurriyat leaders have adopted a negative stand on the issue, Shah said that he was not concerned about the stand taken by the Hurriyat Conference.

"We have sought some clarifications and Pantsahib has said that he would give the necessary clarifications to us. I am hopeful because this is an opportunity which the Government of India must seize and start positive one-to-one talks. But you have to involve Pakistan as well, for a solution to the Kashmir problem," he insisted.

On being asked why Pakistan should be involved when United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan had said that it should forget the 1947 UN resolution and now talk on the basis of Lahore Declaration, he replied, "India took the matter to the United Nations and made Pakistan a party to it. To find a peaceful solution to the problem of Jammu and Kashmir, you have to involve Pakistan in the talks. I am confident that steps by Prime Minister Atal Bhari Vajpayee will bring positive results."

Shah, who was initially cautious about holding talks with the government nominee, eventually came round and accepted the invitation extended by Pant.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mir Qasim and journalist Balraj Puri have met Pant to discuss the Kashmir problem. Former chief minister G M Shah has expressed willingness to meet Pant, only if he visits Kashmir.

EARLIER REPORT
JKDFP team may meet Pant on Thursday

The Kashmir Cease-Fire: The Complete Coverage

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