Quality and not quantity this time: Azad on next roundtable

Srinagar, Apr 17 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today expressed the hope that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's second-round-table conference here next month would be a huge success as emphasis would be on ''quality and not quantity'' this time.

''I am sure the round-table will be a huge success. It is high time and in the interest of everybody whosoever claims to be the sympathiser and well-wisher of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the second round-table conference,'' he said.

The Chief Minister was talking to journalists after taking salute of the recruits at the passing out parade at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Training Centre in Humhama near here.

Mr Azad also said the list of invitees for the Srinagar round- table would be small. ''Last time, it was too big a group. I am expecting that this time the emphasis would be on the quality and not the quantity,'' he added.

Asked to elaborate, he said there should be only one or two representatives from a party or a group and not half a dozen people as happened at the last round-table in New Delhi on February 25.

''We should not make it one way,'' the Chief Minister said.

Without naming the group, Mr Azad said at the first round-table a small party was represented by five people.

''The party should and could have been represented by one person only,'' he added.

Asked if the Hurriyat Conference would take part in the Srinagar round-table, Mr Azad said it was in the interest of everybody to take part in the conference.

''If the leaders are really interested in finding a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue, they should participate in the conference,'' he added.

The Chief Minister said the centre has taken concrete steps in finding a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue.

''The Prime Minister is coming to Kashmir. If the representatives of various groups and parties do not participate in the round-table they will be held responsible and not the government,'' he added.

UNI AG PA HT1457