J-K polls expression of Kashmiris’ will: US

Also contrary to Pakistan’s perception of the election, Armitage said major concern for Washington was whether the polls in J-K would be held free of violence. ‘‘Our concern is (that) the elections are free of violence,’’ he said, making the stand of the Bush administration on Kashmir polls categorically clear.

Armitage’s comments appeared to be an indication to Pakistan that it should ‘‘keep off’’ from the polls so that the ‘‘process’’ could be moved forward in Kashmir, the News daily reported.

Significantly, Armitage also left little scope for speculation when he said President Pervez Musharraf himself believed that elections everywhere should be violence-free. Armitage said the world community is concerned about the Kashmir issue.

‘‘Heavy weights’’ like Russia, UK, Sweden, China and Germany have joined hands with the US to create a ‘‘congenial atmosphere’’ for the resolution of the Kashmir problem, which should be finally sorted out between India and Pakistan themselves, he said.

‘‘We still believe that the solution has to be reached between the two parties,’’ he said.

Asked about India’s ‘‘refusal’’ to allow international observers to monitor the J-K polls, Armitage said Indian officials told him that New Delhi would welcome foreign diplomats based in the Capital to travel and observe the elections.

When asked what would happen if India refused to permit foreign diplomats, he said in that case, there would be ‘‘questions’’ asked about the process.

However, he added ‘‘my understanding is that observers from the diplomatic community would be allowed and they would be able to make a judgement.’’