Hawks in Govt foiled peace bid: Shah

Criticising Prime Minister Vajpayee and Deputy PM L.K. Advani for not meeting him, separatist leader Shabir Shah today said hawks in the Cen...

Criticising Prime Minister Vajpayee and Deputy PM L.K. Advani for not meeting him, separatist leader Shabir Shah today said hawks in the Central Government had sabotaged a 8216;8216;serious effort8217;8217; to resolve Kashmir issue.

8216;8216;We have been neither against the democratic process nor are we scared of fighting elections. But mere change of government is not our motive, we want to resolve the Kashmir issue,8217;8217; Shah said.

nbsp;	Ram slams Advani	nbsp;
NEW DELHI: Attacking Deputy PM L.K. Advani for refusing to meet separatist leader Shabir Shah, Kashmir Committee chairman Ram Jethmalani said on Sunday the move could derail the peace process. Terming Advani8217;s attitude as 8216;8216;discouraging8217;8217;, Jethmalani said: 8216;8216;It was a move which could have derailed the peace process. Luckily, it has not happened as is clear from the statements of Shah and the Hurriyat.8217;8217; PTI

He said some of the 8216;8216;hawks in the government had managed to put impediments not only in his path but also in the path of Kashmir Committee led by Ram Jethmalani whom Kashmiris see as their friend8217;8217;.

8216;8216;The policy of the government on Kashmiris is not known. First, they invite separatist leaders for talks through the Kashmir Committee and then back out,8217;8217; he said.

Shah flayed the BJP for accusing Congress chief Sonia Gandhi of attempting to sabotage the Kashmir peace process, saying: 8216;8216;The BJP stands exposed in the eyes of public for not being sincere in resolving the issue.8217;8217;

Shah met Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Jaleel Abbas Geelani in the evening and discussed peace initiatives required to be taken by India and Pakistan for solving the Kashmir problem in an amicable manner.

Story continues below this ad

He appealed to Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf to extend full support to the peace process. Shah appreciated the willingness of the Pakistan government to enter into a dialogue with India and hoped New Delhi will reciprocate.

Shah also met Defence Minister George Fernandes.