I am ready for talks to solve Kashmir issue: Geelani

Jammu, Jan 4: Teherik-e-Hurriyat Conference chairman and hardliner separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani today said he was ''always ready'' for dialogue, which was the only medium to find a solution to the Kashmir issue.

''Since 1989, I have been saying dialogue and not gun can find a solution to the Kashmir issue. I am ready to actively participate in any move which could solve the imbroglio,'' Geelani told UNI before departing for New Delhi.

On the round table next month, the separatist leader said if the Centre did not lay down any pre-conditions, he would certainly participate in the meeting.

''Conditions mean determining the direction of talks and when it is done there is no use of such meeting. Looking at the ground realities, the Indian Government should initiate talks without any pre-conditions.'' About the failure of earlier talks, the hardliner separatist leader said: ''Since 1947, 130 meetings have been held and failed because the leaders never realised ground realities.''

UNI

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