DATE=8/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA / KASHMIR / L
NUMBER=2-265108
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indian negotiators in Kashmir have ended a
first round of talks with representatives of a leading
separatist militant group that declared a cease-fire
last week. V-O-A's Jim Teeple reports both sides have
agreed to meet again.
TEXT: It was high drama in Srinigar - the summer
capital of India's Jammu and Kashmir State - as Hizbul
Mujahadeen commanders met for the first time with
India's home secretary. Both sides had warm words for
each other following their meeting - agreeing to meet
again to see how a three-month cease-fire declared
last week by Hizbul Mujahadeen can be made permanent.
That will not be easy. Following their talks with
Indian officials, Hizbul commanders in Srinigar said
Pakistan must be included in talks on the future of
Kashmir - something India rejects. Speaking from his
base in Pakistan, the chief of Hizbul Mujahadeen says
he will consider ending the cease-fire next week if
India does not agree to include Pakistan in talks.
Coming just a day after the mass killings in Jammu and
Kashmir the talks were an encouraging sign for many.
Speaking in New Delhi, the U-S Ambassador to India
Richard Celeste said he is encouraged by the dialogue.
// CELESTE ACT //
Everywhere in the world, if you examine where
there has been a move towards peaceful dialogue
the extremists have struck out with violence and
tried to derail the process. I am confident
that is the same phenomenon that is at work
here. So the hope is that a determined
government and people of goodwill and courage in
Kashmir can come together can come together and
move the dialogue forward.
// END ACT //
Meanwhile, India's Prime Minister, Atal Behari
Vajpayee traveled to Kashmir to meet with families of
some of those who died in the attacks carried out by
militants opposed to the cease-fire. Mr. Vajpayee
said has said this week's killings would not affect
the talks with Hizbul Mujahadeen - pledging also not
to take action against Hizbul fighters in the field.
The Indian Army announced what they described as a
major offensive in Jammu and Kashmir to hunt down
those responsible for the attacks. Military
commanders say they are making rare use of helicopter
gunships in the operation, which is taking place in
rugged mountain terrain in the state's Doda district.
(SIGNED)
NEB/JLT/RAE
03-Aug-2000 09:34 AM EDT (03-Aug-2000 1334 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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