Separatists in Kashmir hail election of Obama as US president

Srinagar, Nov 5 (UNI) Hailing the election of Barack Obama as the president of the United States, separatist organisations in Kashmir today said the President-elect will help to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Acting chairman Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza in a statement expressed the hope that Mr Obama will uphold the assurance which he had made during the election campaigns on Kashmir issue.

He said peace in the South Asia rests with honourable and durable solution of Kashmir which at present is a nuclear flashpoint between the two nuclear armed neighbours of the sub-continent--India and Pakistan-- because peace begets prosperity, development and tranquility.

However, peace in Kashmir cannot be imposed but is to be evolved out of the situation, he said, adding Mr Obama can play a pivotal role in bringing India and Pakistan for a meaningful dialogue on Kashmir issue.

Mr Waza said the US president elect can use his positive influence so that Kashmir can act as a bridge to nearer the gulf which is prevalent between Indo-Pak for the past six decades.

The people of Kashmir have the hope that the Mr Obama will utilize all the resources politically and diplomatically to choke out a democratic solution through a meaningful dialogue process between India and Pakistan, taking into account the wishes and aspiration of people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Patron Mahaz-e-Azadi, Mohammad Azam Inquilabi in a statement hailed Barck Hussain Obama as President elect of United States of America.

He reiterated that the newly elected president of the US will support the Kashmir cause and hoped that he can play an essential role in bringing India and Pakistan for a meaningful dialogue on Kashmir issue in accordance with wishes and aspirations of people of the state, Azam said.

Recently, the separatist organisation had welcomed the statement of Mr Obama on Kashmir.

The chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC), Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq said, ''we welcome the statement of Mr Obama in which he has stressed the need to resolve the long-standing Kashmir issue.'' ''This is an encouraging statement,'' he said, adding the International community was now recognising that resolution of the issue was necessary for lasting peace in the South-Asia.

UNI BAS AKJ NS1645