08-02-2007, 08:01 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Kashmir Conference concludes with 'Montevideo Declaration'</b>
01-08-2007
Montevideo, Uruguay, (Kashmir Watch News Service): The first ever Kashmir Conference in Latin America was held in Montevideo historic capital of Uruguay.
Eminent scholars, experts on conflict management and researchers from various parts of world participated in the Conference to debate and discuss ways and means for the resolution of the sixty year old dispute.
The highlight of the conference was presence of seventeen Uruguan Senior Army Officers out of which eleven were in uniform who had served in Jammu and Kashmir. The presence of the former UNMOGIP personnel in the conference kindles the hope that the international community is desirous of the final settlement of Kashmir dispute.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Ghuam Nabi Fai Executive Director of Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Centre said that the United Nations Security Council Resolutions have given the right to the people of all zones of state of Jammu and Kashmir and no one else to decide the future status of the disputed land. He said, International community must impress upon both India and Pakistan to include the genuine and accredited leadership of the state in all future negotiations to settle the issue of Kashmir to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
Prof. Mag. Diego Escuder University of Oriental Republic of Uruguay and Catholic University welcomed the participants on behalf of Department of International Relations of the University. The tradition with the people of Uruguay has been to support human rights, international freedoms, democratic, international law and inalienable right to self-determination and Kashmiri fits in these principles that is why we have supported it at all international fora and we must continue our support to this just cause of Kashmir.
General Ricardo Galarza of Uruguay, former Chief of United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) said that instrument of accession was accepted by Lord Mountbatten subject to the reference of the people. I know it he said, while visiting the beautiful land of Kashmir and meeting the people that Kashmiris want to remind India, Pakistan and International Community not only the promise given by Lord Mountbatten but also by both and Pakistan at the United Nations. Uruguay Government had supported all the resolution of the security council pertaining to the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir.
Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan appreciated the initiatives undertaken by both General Pervez Musharraf President of Pakistan and Dr. Manmohan Singh the Prime Minister of India but so far there has not any substantial impact of this process on Kashmir situation. He hailed the role played by the Government of Uruguay at the United Nations as early as 1948 during the debate over the issue of Kashmir.
Mr. Ved Bhasin Editor in Chief Kashmir Times stated the right to decide about future vested with people of Jammu and Kashmir State. Giving a grim picture of human rights situation he stated the despite peace process the ground situation in Kashmir had not changed and the relation of the disappeared persons continued to clueless till date.
Mr. Jatinder Bakshi of Committee of the return of Kashmiri pundits stated that violence was no solution to the problem and a lasting solution to the problem could emerge through peaceful dialogue between India, Pakistan and People of Jammu and Kashmir. About the return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir he said that all leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Shabir Ahmed Shah had assured that they would facilitate the return of Pandit brethren as soon as possible.
Zahid G. Muhammad columnist that Kashmir issue at no point of time was a communal issue but wedded to cardinal principle of right to self-determination. He stated that there was need for ending the 2policy of procrastination and committing to meaningful and purposeful dialogue to settle the issue of Kashmir to satisfaction of all people of the state.
Prof. Angana Chatterji of Calfornia University stated demilitarization of the region had become impetrative for improving human rights situation in Kashmir. The terms of demilitarization must include full allocation of civil liberties, economic stabilization and dignity and respect for the wishes and pluralism of the people of Kashmir, She urged that to envision peace will require justice and the democratic inclusion and participation of Kashmiris in the peace process.
Prof. Msc. Maria Viera University of Rio Grander do Sul of Brazil stated that Kashmir dispute was not clash of civilizations, it was not question of Islam or it was not battle between good and evil but a struggle for Right to Self-determination. Dwelling in detail upon history of Kashmir problem the Brazilian scholar state the presence of Kashmiris in the peace process was mandatory to find a just solution of the problem.
Ambassador of Pakistan Neemullah Khan Yusufzia that Pakistan has always supported the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir. He said that we are concerned with the grave human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.
Among others who spoke included Prof. Msc. Maria Emilia Cortes, Salvador University, Bs. Aires, Argentina. Dr. Richard Shapiro from California, Dr. Ekatherna Lensou, European Humanties University, Minsk, Belarus, Dr. Susana Mangana, Autonomous University of Madrid Spain.
The Conference conclusion with adoption of Montevideo Decleration.
<b>MONTEVIDEO DECLERATION </b>
The First Latin American International Kashmir Conference was organized by the Department of International Relations and Kashmir American Council/Kashmir Center in Montevideo on July 31, 2007.
<b>The Conference Resolved that:</b>
1. The inalienable right to self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir must be recognized and respected.
2. The Conference Welcomes the new beginning and manifested sensible approach to resolve the Kashmir dispute through a peaceful negotiated settlement on the basis of ground realities keeping in view the sensitivities and wishes of the Kashmiri people.
3. The Kashmiris should be integral component of the ongoing peace process as they are the primary stake holders. They should be inclusive in the peace process as it will facilitate permanent, durable and honorable settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
4. The Ceasefire line as an option is totally unacceptable. However pragmatic routes based on fairplay and justice to conflict resolution be identified.
5. The Conference calls for an intensive and comprehensive dialogue between different opinion and regions of the state on both sides of dividing line. This interaction will improve the level of trust and confidence, as it will also help to develop consensus in conflict resolution. The Government of India and Pakistan must facilitate the travel documents to participants.
6. The Conference calls for cessation of all types of human rights violations. It also calls for developing the confidence of common people as they must perceive a change in attitude so vital for having trust in the wisdom of political leadership pursuing the peace process.
7. The Conference urges for the return and settlement of all displace persons all including Kashmiri Pandits.
8. The Conference welcomes all the Kashmiri specific CBMS. A process of demilitarization will give a considerable boost to the process of peace and reconciliation and release of prisoners would strength peace process.
http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=13083<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
01-08-2007
Montevideo, Uruguay, (Kashmir Watch News Service): The first ever Kashmir Conference in Latin America was held in Montevideo historic capital of Uruguay.
Eminent scholars, experts on conflict management and researchers from various parts of world participated in the Conference to debate and discuss ways and means for the resolution of the sixty year old dispute.
The highlight of the conference was presence of seventeen Uruguan Senior Army Officers out of which eleven were in uniform who had served in Jammu and Kashmir. The presence of the former UNMOGIP personnel in the conference kindles the hope that the international community is desirous of the final settlement of Kashmir dispute.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Ghuam Nabi Fai Executive Director of Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Centre said that the United Nations Security Council Resolutions have given the right to the people of all zones of state of Jammu and Kashmir and no one else to decide the future status of the disputed land. He said, International community must impress upon both India and Pakistan to include the genuine and accredited leadership of the state in all future negotiations to settle the issue of Kashmir to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
Prof. Mag. Diego Escuder University of Oriental Republic of Uruguay and Catholic University welcomed the participants on behalf of Department of International Relations of the University. The tradition with the people of Uruguay has been to support human rights, international freedoms, democratic, international law and inalienable right to self-determination and Kashmiri fits in these principles that is why we have supported it at all international fora and we must continue our support to this just cause of Kashmir.
General Ricardo Galarza of Uruguay, former Chief of United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) said that instrument of accession was accepted by Lord Mountbatten subject to the reference of the people. I know it he said, while visiting the beautiful land of Kashmir and meeting the people that Kashmiris want to remind India, Pakistan and International Community not only the promise given by Lord Mountbatten but also by both and Pakistan at the United Nations. Uruguay Government had supported all the resolution of the security council pertaining to the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir.
Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan appreciated the initiatives undertaken by both General Pervez Musharraf President of Pakistan and Dr. Manmohan Singh the Prime Minister of India but so far there has not any substantial impact of this process on Kashmir situation. He hailed the role played by the Government of Uruguay at the United Nations as early as 1948 during the debate over the issue of Kashmir.
Mr. Ved Bhasin Editor in Chief Kashmir Times stated the right to decide about future vested with people of Jammu and Kashmir State. Giving a grim picture of human rights situation he stated the despite peace process the ground situation in Kashmir had not changed and the relation of the disappeared persons continued to clueless till date.
Mr. Jatinder Bakshi of Committee of the return of Kashmiri pundits stated that violence was no solution to the problem and a lasting solution to the problem could emerge through peaceful dialogue between India, Pakistan and People of Jammu and Kashmir. About the return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir he said that all leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Shabir Ahmed Shah had assured that they would facilitate the return of Pandit brethren as soon as possible.
Zahid G. Muhammad columnist that Kashmir issue at no point of time was a communal issue but wedded to cardinal principle of right to self-determination. He stated that there was need for ending the 2policy of procrastination and committing to meaningful and purposeful dialogue to settle the issue of Kashmir to satisfaction of all people of the state.
Prof. Angana Chatterji of Calfornia University stated demilitarization of the region had become impetrative for improving human rights situation in Kashmir. The terms of demilitarization must include full allocation of civil liberties, economic stabilization and dignity and respect for the wishes and pluralism of the people of Kashmir, She urged that to envision peace will require justice and the democratic inclusion and participation of Kashmiris in the peace process.
Prof. Msc. Maria Viera University of Rio Grander do Sul of Brazil stated that Kashmir dispute was not clash of civilizations, it was not question of Islam or it was not battle between good and evil but a struggle for Right to Self-determination. Dwelling in detail upon history of Kashmir problem the Brazilian scholar state the presence of Kashmiris in the peace process was mandatory to find a just solution of the problem.
Ambassador of Pakistan Neemullah Khan Yusufzia that Pakistan has always supported the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir. He said that we are concerned with the grave human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.
Among others who spoke included Prof. Msc. Maria Emilia Cortes, Salvador University, Bs. Aires, Argentina. Dr. Richard Shapiro from California, Dr. Ekatherna Lensou, European Humanties University, Minsk, Belarus, Dr. Susana Mangana, Autonomous University of Madrid Spain.
The Conference conclusion with adoption of Montevideo Decleration.
<b>MONTEVIDEO DECLERATION </b>
The First Latin American International Kashmir Conference was organized by the Department of International Relations and Kashmir American Council/Kashmir Center in Montevideo on July 31, 2007.
<b>The Conference Resolved that:</b>
1. The inalienable right to self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir must be recognized and respected.
2. The Conference Welcomes the new beginning and manifested sensible approach to resolve the Kashmir dispute through a peaceful negotiated settlement on the basis of ground realities keeping in view the sensitivities and wishes of the Kashmiri people.
3. The Kashmiris should be integral component of the ongoing peace process as they are the primary stake holders. They should be inclusive in the peace process as it will facilitate permanent, durable and honorable settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
4. The Ceasefire line as an option is totally unacceptable. However pragmatic routes based on fairplay and justice to conflict resolution be identified.
5. The Conference calls for an intensive and comprehensive dialogue between different opinion and regions of the state on both sides of dividing line. This interaction will improve the level of trust and confidence, as it will also help to develop consensus in conflict resolution. The Government of India and Pakistan must facilitate the travel documents to participants.
6. The Conference calls for cessation of all types of human rights violations. It also calls for developing the confidence of common people as they must perceive a change in attitude so vital for having trust in the wisdom of political leadership pursuing the peace process.
7. The Conference urges for the return and settlement of all displace persons all including Kashmiri Pandits.
8. The Conference welcomes all the Kashmiri specific CBMS. A process of demilitarization will give a considerable boost to the process of peace and reconciliation and release of prisoners would strength peace process.
http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=13083<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->