No military solution to Kashmir dispute: Observers

An International Kashmir Peace Conference, sponsored by the Kashmiri-American Council, has called for a peaceful and democratic resolution of the Kashmir issue with involvement of people in the region.

Washington, July 27 : An International Kashmir Peace Conference, sponsored by the Kashmiri-American Council, has called for a peaceful and democratic resolution of the Kashmir issue with involvement of people in the region.

The seventh such conference being held in Washington is being attended by experts from international politics and academics, besides expatriate Kashmiris.

The conference debated the status of Kashmir, the peace process between India and Pakistan, and a possible resolution to the dispute.

Joseph Pitt, the Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania, said: "We encourage a peaceful resolution; there is no acceptable military solution. And when you have dialogue you are bringing in experts from both sides, all sides, that is good."

Dana Joseph Rohrabacher, the Republican Congressman from California, said a lasting solution was only possible through democratic means.

"Change is possible, but it has to be based on democratic change, where people have the right to control their own destiny through the ballot box or, that change will never last," said Rohrabacher.

The involvement of Kashmiris in the peace talks between New Delhi andslamabad has found a consensus at the conference.

"Whatever the outcome of the negotiations but that outcome has to be along with the Kashmiri leadership and we will accept that. So that missing link is there and that's why we are trying to urge and pursue anybody who matters here in Washington D.C. and elsewhere," said Ghulam Nabi Fai, the Executive Director of the Kashmiri American Council-Kashmir Centre Washington.

Pakistan administered Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan said the involvement of Kashmiri people would facilitate the peace process.

"Left to the Government, Islamabad and Delhi, they have not been able to produce anything for the last 60 years. Provided the Kashmiris, the actual sufferers and one of the important parties, given a chance they can act as a bridge of peace between Pakistan and India and help facilitate them bring closer," he said.

ANI