DATE=3/28/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=KASHMIR, POST-CLINTON
NUMBER=5-46018
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=SRINIGAR
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Even before he embarked on his whirlwind tour
of South Asia last week, President Clinton said he did
not expect diplomatic breakthroughs on issues like
nuclear proliferation or the Kashmir crisis. During
his trip, Mr. Clinton made repeated calls for an
easing of tensions between India and Pakistan --
especially over the territory of Kashmir, which is
claimed by both countries. V-O-A Correspondent Jim
Teeple reports -- now that Mr. Clinton has returned to
Washington -- many on the Indian side of the Kashmir
border say there is little evidence the region is any
less dangerous following the visit.
TEXT:
// ACT OF MUSLIM PRAYERS..EST AND FADE
UNDER TEXT //
The call to prayer brings the faithful to the Jama
Masjid Mosque, in the heart of old Srinigar -- the
ancient capital of Kashmir. As they do every Friday,
thousands gather in the courtyard of the 500-year-old
mosque to pray. Surrounding the mosque are
sandbagged outposts and police to keep a close watch
on those entering and leaving the mosque.
Many in the Muslim-majority state, Indian Kashmir, say
they want to separate from India. Frequently, small
groups of protestors clash with police following
Friday prayers. This Friday, many in the mosque say
they are especially disappointed with the situation in
Kashmir. Many say they had hoped President Clinton's
trip to India would have led to some breakthrough on
the Kashmir dispute. Sitting at the edge of an
ancient marble fountain in the courtyard of the
mosque, Nizar Ahmed Khan -- a dealer in Kashmir shawls
-- says he is disappointed Mr. Clinton will not get
involved in the Kashmir dispute.
// KHAN ACTUALITY //
We feel very bad. We were expecting Mr. Clinton to
definitely intervene in our matter this way. Because
after 20 years he (a U-S President) was paying a visit
to India.
// END ACTUALITY //
Before leaving on his tour of South Asia Mr. Clinton
called the Kashmir region "the most dangerous place on
earth," and said he wanted to ease tensions there.
Many on both sides of the Kashmir border say they took
that to mean that Mr. Clinton wanted to mediate the
Kashmir dispute.
The territory is claimed by and partitioned by both
India and Pakistan. Two of the three wars the
countries have fought since independence have been
over Kashmir. In 1998, India and Pakistan conducted
nuclear tests. Last year, both countries nearly
fought another war after guerrillas crossing from
Pakistan occupied strategic mountain peaks on the
Indian side of the "line of control" -- the ceasefire
line which divides Kashmir.
// OPT // During his visit to both India and
Pakistan, Mr. Clinton said he would not intervene in
the Kashmir dispute unless both countries invited him.
Indian officials say they welcome Mr. Clinton's call
for both sides to respect the "line of control." They
also say they welcome Mr. Clinton's statement -- made
in a media interview -- that he believes some elements
within Pakistan's military back the insurgency in
Kashmir.
// OPT // India says the dispute is a bilateral issue
with Pakistan and flatly rejects outside mediation
over Kashmir. It blames Pakistan for supporting
separatist militants who India says are waging a
campaign of terrorism. Pakistan denies offering the
militants anything other than moral and diplomatic
support. // END OPT //
Although many in Kashmir say they are disappointed
Mr. Clinton's trip did not result in more movement
towards a solution of the Kashmir crisis, expectations
were not high. Sana Ulla Bhat is the editor and
publisher of the "Daily Aftab" (sun) newspaper-- the
largest Urdu-languange newspaper in Srinigar. Mr.
Bhat identifies himself as a Kashmir nationalist who
is a foe of both the Indian Government and the
separatist militants. He says there is little Mr.
Clinton could do for Kashmir.
// BHAT ACTUALITY //
Mr. Clinton has no authority in India. He is
president of the United States. And, Mr. Clinton
could not do much more than what he did. He said
very clearly that India and Pakistan should solve this
problem. That is enough.
// END ACTUALITY //
At the Jama Masjid Mosque, the faithful come to hear
Umar Farooq -- the young Mirvaiz, or hereditary
religious leader of most of Kashmir's Muslim
population. Umar Farooq is also one of the leaders of
the All Parties Huriyat Conference -- a grouping of
mostly separatist parties who seek a political
solution to the Kashmir crisis. Speaking after Friday
prayers, Umar Farooq says the people of Kashmir do not
have the necessary clout to get the international
community interested in solving their problems.
// FAROOQ ACTUALITY //
That is how politics works. You cannot expect much
because we are the weaker side. And, unfortunately,
we do not have oil as the Kuwaiti's had. So we have
to understand the fact that India is a big power and
that we have challenged a big power and so we have to
get we have to get on our own.
// END ACTUALITY //
Umar Farooq -- whose father was assassinated ten years
ago, as the separatist conflict took hold in Kashmir -
-- says he is dismayed that Mr. Clinton's visit did
not produce any progress on Kashmir. He says
international inaction will only mean more violence
for the people of Kashmir. (Signed)
neb/jlt /wd
28-Mar-2000 06:10 AM EDT (28-Mar-2000 1110 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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