Islamabad, Jan 12
Former Pakistani army chief Gen Mirza Aslam Beg is sanguine that a
solution to the core problem of Kashmir would be on the anvil
considering that the security situation in the region was rapidly
deteriorating.
"Peace in South Asia is anchored to the Kashmir problem.
Developments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine, which have got
worse, have an impact on Kashmir and it is in the interests of both
countries to find a solution soon," Beg told IANS in an interview.
"Islamic resistance has put a limit to state operations and control
in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan and even to an extent in
Kashmir. This has begun to weigh heavily on the leaderships of both
countries and they realize that they must act fast," he said.
Beg, who runs a think tank, Foundation for Research and Evaluation
on International Environment and Development, maintained that it
must be drilled into the psyche of both India and Pakistan that a
solution to Kashmir would be an answer to the problems distressing
both sides.
"The route goes through Kashmir. One simply can't deviate from facts
of history."
Former foreign secretary, Niaz Naik, who played a critical role in
Track II diplomacy, is equally confident that the decision by both
countries to approach issues with an open and friendly mind would
reap dividends to resolve all pending issues through a dialogue
process.
"I know that the visit of foreign minister, Pranab Mukherjee is not
going to be path breaking but the fact that he's coming to review
the progress in the dialogue is in itself significant," says Naik.
In his reckoning, the decision to establish a joint-terror mechanism
was a big leap forward in the tense ties that existed following the
7/11 serial blasts in Mumbai last year.
"This mechanism is important as it can cover not just developments
between the two countries but allows them a wider reach encompassing
South Asia. It is not in the interests of either side to see the
resurgence of Taliban as this would have linkages to militancy
impacting both countries," says Naik.
"But what is refreshing in the last few months to know is that both
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf have a
robust vision and want to establish peace, security and friendship."
Ditto were sentiments of former army commander Lt. General Talat
Masood, now a commentator and analyst.
"I am looking forward to his (Mukherjee's) visit. The climate is
better than what it was in the past."
Masood was happy that Musharraf's four-point proposal consisting of
a joint supervisory mechanism, self-governance, demilitarization and
making the Line of Control irrelevant found resonance in New Delhi.
"The time has come to covert these feelings into something
substantive. There is no reason why it cannot be done."
Economist, Dr A.R. Kamal, a former head of Pakistan's Institute of
Development Economics was also of the view that demonstrating
"flexibility" was important especially in matters relating to trade.
"While I agree that a political dialogue is imperative, economic
progress is equally important. More borders should open up and more
trade on items that have been restricted should happen," he said.
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