Despite the movement on the Indo-Pak front — the first Lahore bus is expected to leave today —the Hizbul Mujahideen, recently blacklisted by Washington, is showing few signs of a climbdown. In an exclusive e-mail interview from Muzzafarabad (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir), Hizul supremo Syed Salahudin says that his group will ‘‘continue its decisive role in current armed struggle even after Pakistan’s decision to keep itself aloof under growing US pressure.’’ ‘‘We have not pinned much hope regarding Vajpayee’s offer towards friendship with Pakistan. The situation remains volcanic unless and until the core issue of contention between the two countries, Kashmir dispute, is addressed in according with the wishes of the people of Kashmir,’’ he says. ‘‘We have actually no confidence in the statements of Indian leadership because of our bitter experience.’’ Such words may be the typical Hizbul refrain but they are a pointer to the challenges that lie ahead for any Indo-Pak movement on Kashmir. Salahuddin has reiterated what he calls the need for a ‘‘trilateral’’ process adding that Hizbul will participate in direct talks with New Delhi if ‘‘we are invited by the parties concerned.’’ As to the process of talks, he says he’s open to any modality. ‘‘It is immaterial whether all the parties are involved in the first phase or later. The real issue is that the target of talks must be the resolution of the dispute and the talks must be held with a view to work out a formula or the modus operandi for the ultimate resolution of the problem,’’ he says. ‘‘Our direct participation in talks is not, however, essntial. Hizb has trust in the sincere and committed leadership of Kashmir and Pakistan.’’ He, however, calls all talks between the two countries ‘‘futile’’ saying that ‘‘bilateral exercise has completely failed many a times so this new attempt will also meet the same fate’’. Asked to comment on reports of the recent clampdown by Pakistan on Hizb, Salahudin calls them ‘‘baseless’’ and ‘‘unrealistic.’’ He says Hizbul Mujahideen is self-dependent. ‘‘No international pressure can affect its target oriented performace inside Kashmir,’’ he says. Salahudin also rejects a ceasefire as a pre-requisite for holding talks but keeps the window open. ‘‘However if United Jihad Council (an amalgam of militant outfits including Hizbul) is convinced that India is sincere to resolve the Kashmir problem in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people, there can be a ceasefire too’’. He, however, seeks New Delhi to take ‘‘some positive steps like the withdrawal of forces to the barracks, a total stop on operations, release of all detainees and a public acceptance of Kashmir as a disputed territory.’’ If this happens, he says, there is ‘‘no hindrance to.a positive response in order to create a conducive atmosphere’’. Do you have a roadmap for peace? Salahudin says it is the same as it was decades ago. ‘‘The roadmap to peace is that India accepts without further delay and obduracy that Kashmir is a disputed territory which needs to be resolved.Then India should be ready to sit on the table for triangular talks with Pakistan and Kashmiris; respect the United Nations resolutions regarding this outstanding issue which is turning volcanic and posing a serious threat to the international peace and security especially in this region,’’ he says.
