We'll respond to talks offer: Mirwaiz

SRINAGAR, Oct 3: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said that his faction would positively respond to the talks offer by the government of India.

Mirwaiz however added that the response of Hurriyat (M) would be guided by the aspirations of people of Kashmir. Hurriyat (M) chairman was talking to media persons after his return from his foreign visit. The central government had recently stated that the dialogue with separatists would be initiated at an appropriate time and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan SinghManmohan Singh had given the task to the union home minister P Chidambaram in this connection. “Hurriyat (M) will positively respond to the talks offer by the government of India. The response of Hurriyat (M) however would be guided by the aspirations of people of Kashmir,” he said.

Mirwaiz was in New York to attend the meeting of contact group of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) on Kashmir and address the foreign ministers of OIC member countries. During his 10 days stay Mirwaiz also met Pakistani president Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari and foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi who invited him for talks to Islamabad. He said that during his visit to New York and Washington he was satisfied that an atmosphere was being created for the resolution of Kashmir issue. Commenting on the role of OIC Mirwaiz Farooq said that it was fully supporting the Kashmir cause and the leaders of OIC contact group said that the organisation will play its role for the resolution of Kashmir and the peoples’ movement would be highlighted at all levels.

“For the first time there has been a major breakthrough on Kashmir issue and besides other countries China and US are showing seriousness in resolving the issue, which is the outcome of the unprecedented sacrifices offered by Kashmiris,” said Mirwaiz Farooq Hurriyat (M) chairman during his stay also met members of US state department and council and held discussion on Kashmir issue. He said that on October 6 a meeting of executive and general council of Hurriyat (M) would be held and the members apprised of his visit to New York.

Mirwaiz Farooq said that the meeting will also formulate the future strategy of Hurriyat (M) and a committee will be constituted to fix appropriate time for Pakistan visit. Hurriyat (M) chairman said that his visit to New York was fruitful to a great extent and the stand of Hurriyat (M) for Kashmir resolution received support even at diplomatic level. Earlier large number Mirwaiz supporters and Hurriyat (M) leaders carrying green flags received him at Srinagar international airport. Mirwaiz Farooq was taken to his Nageen residence in the shape of a rally by his supporters