Soz clarifies on PM willingness to hold talks with militants

Srinagar, Jan 15 (UNI) Union Water Resources Minister Saif-ud-Din Soz today said if the militants feel that the gun was no solution to the problem and accept dialogue as the only basis for resolution of political issues, then they should also be invited for talks.

Prof Soz sought to clarify an official statement released here yesterday in which he was quoted to have said at a news conference that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was ready to hold talks with all Kashmiri groups, including the militant organisations, to hammer out a peaceful solution to all outstanding issues.

At the news conference here yesterday, Prof Soz said he was asked as to whether the Prime Minister would talk to militants also.

''If the militants feel that gun is no solution to the problem and accept dialogue as the only basis for resolution of political problems, then they should also be invited,'' he said was his response to the question.

In a statement e-mailed to UNI here from New Delhi, Prof Soz said it was his personal opinion.

He also said the dialogue process was proceeding alright toward its logical conclusion.

''As the Prime Minister has said a number of times, his doors were open to leaders of all shades of opinion - be it the mainstream leaders or the separatists,'' the Union Minister said.

The official statement also mentioned that Prof Soz appealed to all the political parties and the secessionist groups to join the dialogue process aimed at restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

About the ongoing India-Pakistan talks, Prof Soz said the dialogue process was moving in the right direction.

The visit of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Pakistan was a part of the process, he added.

Prof Soz expressed the hope that positive results would soon emerge from the dialogue process between the two countries.

The Prime Minister and the Indian leadership were sincere in resolving all issues with Pakistan bilaterally and in a peaceful manner, the statement quoted him as having said.

UNI