Mirwaiz Hurriyat seeks debate on self-rule

Srinagar, Nov 30 (UNI) The moderate Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, today sought a debate on the self-rule proposal to evolve and develop a broader consensus on the formula on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).

''We appreciate Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for putting forth proposals of self-governance, demilitarisation and joint management as an alternative to the solution of the Kashmir issue,'' senior Hurriyat leader Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat told journalists after an emergency meeting of the amalgam here.

He said the amalgam supported Gen Musharraf's self-rule proposal for three reasons. ''Firstly, it is palatable and never disastrous.

The formula addresses the sentiments in the context of change and thirdly it is realistic,'' he added.

Prof Bhat said the Hurriyat Conference seeks a debate on the self-rule proposal at the people's level to evolve and develop a broader consensus in both parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

''What does self-governance mean? Is it synonymous with autonomy, total independence or federalism cast in a different frame and does it include political sovereignty of the people of Jammu and Kashmir? We believe the answer lies in collectivity. Let us all give a thought to it and work out an irreducible minimum political programme with a view to finding a permanent settlement of the people in both parts of Jammu and Kashmir.'' The former Hurriyat chairman said different people give different interpretations of self-rule. ''We don't want to spell it out in detail, but we choose to give you the basics. In our perception, we interpret the proposal in the context of the sentiment and the change,'' he added.

Prof Bhat said self-rule or self-governance was not and can never be a concession. ''It is a concept in terms of political thought that recognises the people's right to be the architect of their destiny and masters of their fate. Self-rule implies no masters, no surrogates, but equals. This is the essence...the basic,'' he added.

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