For talks, Hurriyat walks first step

Geelani and Malik8217;s absence, Mirwaiz admitted, was 8216;8216;unfortunate8217;8217; but downplayed its significance saying that 8216;8216;that efforts to forge unity with aggrieved elements would continue.8217;8217;

However, there was quiet celebration over the attendance of Hurriyat discard and senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, who heads the Democratic Freedom Party. And who is believed to have shared some 8216;8216;ideas8217;8217; regarding the talks.

Sources said there8217;s virtual consensus among the doves that the dialogue process has to start. The thorny issue is how to package it credibly8212; without making it appear a sell-out8212;especially when Geelani, militant groups and Pakistan have openly opposed the idea.

But sources said today8217;s meeting is part of a three-pronged strategy:

8226; First of all, invite those to the meeting who have been opposed to the process. This public call for unity is expected to raise the Hurriyat8217;s credibility. And send the signal that the doves did 8216;8216;their best to present a united front.8217;8217;

8226; To that effect, invite even those separatist leaders who were earlier not part of the Hurriyat.

8226;Follow up with a general council meeting where the roadmap for the peace process will be discussed and, hopefully, adopted.

Former Hurriyat Chairman Abdul Gani Bhat is said to have even prepared a rough draft of the roadmap. It8217;s believed to demand unconditional dialogue and spell out various stages in the process.

8216;8216;We have a clear stand. We are for a dialogue. But we don8217;t want to talk to replace Mufti Sahib Chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,8217;8217; said a senior leader. 8216;8216;Devolution of powers or internal autonomy are not our issues of concern8230;We want to talk and talk about the real problem. The dialogue has to be about Kashmir dispute and all other issues are of no significance at this point.8217;8217;

The optimism among the doves comes after recent attempts by Pakistan to assuage them. Just a day ago, the Pak Foreign Ministry issued a statement that it has no favourites among the Hurriyat factions and that the split in the Hurriyat was not in Pakistan8217;s interest.

This statement came just days after the Pak High Commission in New Delhi openly acknowledged Geelani and his rebels as the 8216;8216;real Hurriyat8217;8217; in its iftar invitation.

The Government here, too, is keeping a close watch over the developments. Keeping in view their sensitivity, the Hurriyat doves have been provided with additional security. 8216;8216;We have reviewed their threat perception and have accordingly improved their security cover,8217;8217; Inspector general of Police, Kashmir range K Rajendra said.

In the Hurriyat executive council meeting today, five of the seven representatives attended the meeting: Ansari represented the Muslim Ittehad, Gani Bhat Muslim Conference, Bilal Ghani Lone People8217;s Conference, Mirwaiz Awami Action Committee, Mukhtar Sofi People8217;s League along with representatives of several separatist, employees8217; unions and religious groups.