Geelani ready for talks if India accepts Kashmir as a "dispute"

Srinagar, Jun 21 (UNI) Chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani today said he was ready to join the dialogue process provided Indian accepts Kashmir as a ''dispute'' between India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

''No solution would be acceptable to the people of the state within the Indian constitution,'' he said.

In a statement here today Mr Geelani said the Hurriyat Conference (HC) was not against the process which will help to resolve the Kashmir issue as per the wishes of the people of the state.

''We are ready to join the talks. Let India accepts Kashmir as a disputed territory, he said'' adding, we will sit across the talbe to hammer out the solution when all the three parties--India, Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir--are present.

About the opening of the Poonch-Rawlakote bus service, he said it was an attempt to change the Kashmir issue.

It was a deep rooted conspiracy to convert the Line of Control (LoC) into a permanent border, he added.

He said no solution to the issue lingering since 1947 was possible within the Indian constitution.

''Kashmir was never a part of India,'' he said adding the Indian leadership should fulfill the promises made to the people of the state from time to time and implement the United Nations resolutions.

UNI BAS AK HT1828