Omar praises Musharraf, says India lacks courage

Srinagar, Nov 1: National Conference (NC) President Omar Abdullah today showered praises on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for his ''courage'' in being very clear about his proposals and formulas to resolve the contentious Kashmir issue.

''Gen Musharraf is a very courageous person. We should accept and appreciate that...If he has to talk about any issue be it demilitarisation or self-rule or has to speak against independence...he says it daringly,'' Mr Abdullah told a news conference here.

However, he said the same courage and determination was not shown by the leadership in Delhi. ''Why does the leadership not exhibit the same courage? Why do they have to create agents and mouthpiece and present them before the people of Jammu and Kashmir to propagate their proposals? I fail to understand,'' Mr Abdullah said.

''If the government has to talk about opening the road and other issues, why don't they do it on their own? Why make others speak for them?'' he asked.

Mr Abdullah said if the government was in favour of the self-rule proposal, it should speak for itself and not ask former chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to do so.

''Come and announce it here. New Delhi has always looked for its agents and mouthpeice here. When they are through with these agents, new ones are promoted,'' he alleged.

UNI