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Conference Attendees in DC Call For Resolution of Jammu and Kashmir Issues

By Mr. Ejaz Sabir, Attorney at Law

The Kashmiri largely youth-led, indigenous and spontaneous movement, which is non-violent, pluralistic and resilient, protests for the right to self-determination in Jammu and Kashmir, and is at a critical juncture.

They call upon the United Nations to "lead the effort to achieve a fair and lasting settlement of the Kashmir dispute," as per the opening remarks of Dr. Ghulam Nabi at the inaugural session of the two day Eleventh International Kashmir Peace Conference organizied by the Kashmiri American Council/ Kashmir Centre and Association of Humanitarian Lawyers in Washington.

The conference held in the glittering hall of the Cannon Building in Capitol Hill was attended by large numbers of delegates from India, Pakistan, both the sides of Jammu and Kashmir, and Kashmir Diaspora from all over the world, including United States Congressmen, diplomats from various countries stationed in Washington D.C., and prominent US columnists and opinion makers.

Congressmen who spoke at the inaugural function included Congressman Dan Burton, Congressman Alderholt, Congressman Danny Davis, Congressman, Dannis Kuchinich, Congressman Yvette Clark and Congressman Joseph Pit. The Congressmen expressed their deep concerns and dissatisfaction over the situation prevailing in trouble-torn Jammu and Kashmir, and called upon ending the persecution of people in the state and respecting human rights in the state.

They called upon India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute as per the wishes and political aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir, without causing any further suffering to people in the state. The Congressmen were unanimous in their approach that for bringing peace in South Asia, the resolution of the Kashmir dispute has become imperative. Some of the Congressmen said that President Obama was fully aware about the importance of Jammu and Kashmir for peace and stability--not only in Afghanistan but for the entire area of south Asia.

Highlighting the objectives for the Conference, Dr. Fai was asked to achieve the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute through peaceful dialogue between all parties concerned--and to do so in the spirit of reconciliation, not confrontation, equality, not discrimination, hope, not despair.

Ambassador Huessin Haqani of Pakistan, reaffirmed the policy of the Pakistan government of supporting the Kashmir struggle for right to self-determination, morally, politically and diplomatically. Others who spoke at the conference emphasized renewing efforts at all levels for finding solutions for the Kashmir problem that are in sync with the internationally laid out principles.

The first technical session of the conference "India-Pakistan Relations: Breaking Deadlock," was presided over by Author and Columnists Zahid G Muhammad. Those who made their presentations in this session included Mr. Kuldin Nayar, Former Indian High Commissioner, in the UK, Mr. Muhammad Afzal Sindhu, State Minister, Law and Justice Govt of Pakistan, Prof. Stanely Wolpert, Historan, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and Ambassador Yousuf Buch.

The consensus that evolved from this session was that the people of Kashmir that are suffering for India and Pakistan, remain caught in the web of the blame game and there was a need for moving beyond the blame game and resumption of composite dialogue between the two countries, and a need to hold Kashmir-focused dialogues involving people of both Jammu and Kashmir.

The second Technical Session entitled "The Impasse over Kashmir," was presided by Mr. Ejaz Sabir, Attorney at Law. Those who made their presentations in this session included Dr. Karen Parker, UN Delegate, Intl.Ed. Development, Dr. Attiya Inaytullah, Member Pakistan National Assembly, Zahid G Muhammad. Author and Writer, Prof. Angana Chateerji and Dr. M.A. Dar, Ohio.

The Time Correspondent who was recently in Srinagar exhibited a small documentary on recent developments on Kashmir during the session.

The third session on the Kashmir Issue was "Its impact on Regional and International Security," was Presided over by Barristor Sareer Fazili Esq. Those who made their presentation at this session included Ambassador Munir Akram, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the UN, Justice Rajinder Sachar, Dr. Rodeny Jones, and M. Ahmed Bilal Sufi Presideny Ressearch Society.