Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=07/12/01

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

NUMBER=5-49777

TITLE=INDIA / KASHMIR / SUMMIT

DATELINE=SRINAGAR

BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE

VOICED AT=

CONTENT=

INTRO: The leaders of India and Pakistan will meet in New Delhi Saturday in preparation for a formal summit that begins the following day in Agra -- home of the Taj Mahal. The meetings are expected to address some of the contentious issues that have led the South Asian rivals to three wars since they gained independence in 1947. A formal summit agenda has not been announced, but the disputed territory of Kashmir is certain to occupy most of the discussions. V-O-A's Jim Teeple recently traveled to Indian-administered Kashmir, where he found nervous anticipation among those who claim to lead the territory.

TEXT: Abdul Majid Dar is the most wanted man in Kashmir. As the military commander of the feared Hizbul Mujahadeen, the largest separatist guerrilla group operating in Kashmir, Abdul Majid Dar has been on the

run from Indian security forces for years. More than half of the separatist militants fighting in Kashmir take their orders from him.

Meeting journalists at a secret location in Kashmir just days before Indian and Pakistani leaders gather for a summit, Mr. Dar says he believes Atal Behari Vajpayee, and Pervez Musharraf are serious about resolving the Kashmir

dispute.

/// DAR ACTUALITY ///

We think both the leaders are very serious as far as their statements are concerned. They are looking very seriously at the summit and at its outcome, so he hopes something will happen.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Abdul Majid Dar says he is willing to lay down his arms and enter into peace talks with India but only if New Delhi agrees to address what he calls "self-determination for Kashmiris." He also says Pakistan should

be included in any such talks something New Delhi has long rejected. Abdul Majid Dar says he will be watching what happens in Agra very carefully India, he says should not waste this opportunity for peace.

/// ACT -- STREET SOUNDS, UP AND UNDER ///

It has been unusually hot in Srinagar and the lemon sellers are doing a brisk business selling the plump, juicy fruit by the hundreds to Kashmiris eager for a cool glass of lemon water. Sitting in his office, removed from the heat and dust of Srinagar's streets, is Abdul Ghani Bhat, Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a grouping of separatist political parties. Professor Bhat, who used to teach Persian literature before he became a separatist activist, says he too is hopeful about the summit. But he says he also nervous that the situation in Kashmir will get much worse if the Agra summit fails to yield results.

/// BHAT ACTUALITY ///

I hope the two leaders will be able to break the ice. If for one reason

or another or no reason at all the summit does not make any progress

there are apprehensions of situation further worsening of the

situation further aggravating of the situation further pushing India

and Pakistan towards a confrontation which I am afraid may spell total

disaster.

/// END ACT ///

Abdul Ghani Bhat is not the only Kashmiri political leader who admits to being nervous about the outcome of the summit. Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal's family has dominated Kashmir's political life for the past 75 years.

Mr. Kamaal's brother, Farouk Abdullah is the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and a staunch ally of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. His father Sheikh Abdullah, who closely allied himself with the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, was the dominant political figure in Kashmir for half a century. Mustafa Kamaal, Jammu and Kashmir's Minister of Industries and Commerce, says he is worried that when Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Musharraf sit down to talk, Indian loyalists in Kashmir might be short-changed (cheated).

/// KAMAAL ACTUALITY ///

My biggest concern is that the two of them might settle it between themselves and work out an agreement of convenience behind the backs of the people of the state of Kashmir who have suffered for these fivedecades that is my only worry that they may come to an agreement which may ignore the people of the state. Hopefully that will not happen.

/// END ACT ///

Like Abdul Majid Dar and Abdul Ghani Bhat, Mustafa Kamaal says he too will be watching what happens in Agra very closely. Even though the other two favor Kashmiri independence and Mustafa Kamal wants to remain with India, all three say they love Kashmir and its people and all three say they are glad Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pervez Musharraf are going to discuss the problem of Kashmir. But all three agree that if the talks in Agra fail to produce hope for Kashmiris, the troubled territory could descend into a new era of violence even worse than the tragedy of the past decade. (Signed)

NEB/JLT/PFH