Mirwaiz compares Mush formula with Good Friday agreement

Srinagar, Dec 29 (UNI) Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today compared Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's four-point formula on the Kashmir resolution with that to the Good Friday agreement.

Addressing a Friday congregation at the grand Jamia Mosque here, he urged India to exhibit ''political will'' and respond to the military ruler's ''genuine'' proposals aimed at resolving the long- festering Kashmir issue.

The Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement and, more rarely, as the Stormont Agreement) was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process. It was signed in Belfast on April 10, 1998 (Good Friday) by the British and Irish governments and endorsed by most Northern Ireland political parties.

It was endorsed by voters of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in separate referendums on 23 May 1998. The Democratic Unionist Party was the only large party that opposed the Agreement.

''The Good Friday Agreement and the recent proposal floated by the Gen Musharraf are similar but unique. India should exhibit political will and respond positively to these proposals,'' the Mirwaiz said on his return from 15-day Europe tour.

''During my visit, I felt that several countries not only support our cause, but also favour a peaceful solution of the Kashmir issue according to the wishes of the peoplem'' he added.

The Hurriyat chairman also urged the Centre to declare a ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir. ''The Government should declare a ceasefire in the state so that the people can feel the change. The peace process between India and Pakistan will bear no fruit and cannot move forward unless the people get relief on the ground.'' He said the Hurriyat Conference was ready for talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but asserted that the dialogue should be held on the ''basis of equality''.

''We are ready for talks with the Prime Minister Manmohan if he is willing to do so. But, the talks should be held on the basis of equality,'' he added.

UNI AG VD VC2016