Kashmir future looking brighter as Musharraf thinks the unthinkable

10.29.10am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Oct 2004

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on South Asia in the European Parliament, Liz Lynne MEP has today welcomed moves by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to initiate a debate on the future of Kashmir within his own country.

The President has outlined several options for the region from, demilitarising the whole area and making it autonomous to joint control of Kashmir to putting the Kashmir Valley under the control of the UN.

The President has sparked anger amongst opposition groups in Pakistan with his call for new ways of solving the dispute but Liz Lynne MEP says that although she still believes there should be a referendum of the Kashmiri people at least he is looking for solutions.

She said:

"Whatever our feelings may have been about the manner in which Pakistan President General Musharraf attained his position, we have to admire the courage of daring to challenge long held beliefs in Pakistan in order to end the conflict over Kashmir.

"We should also recognise that the he has put his life on the line in pursuing peace talks and that he is under tremendous pressure from extremist groups to adopt a hard line against India. The international community must be careful not to leave him isolated.

"He has at the very least sparked off a debate which can only be good for the region. Whatever Pakistan and India decide the final say must be with the people of Kashmir. There cannot be a settlement without their agreement. It is also up to the International community to help in anyway we can to achieve peace for the Kashmiris. The European Union in particular must do all it can to facilitate dialogue on the issue of Kashmir."