Azad calls on PM; discuss 3 roundtable on Kashmir

New Delhi, Apr 18: Six days ahead of the third roundtable on Kashmir here, state Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today and apprised him of the preparations for the conclave. Sources told UNI that in the more than one-and-a-half-hour meeting, held at the 7 Race Course Residence of the Prime Minister, the two leaders held detailed discussions on issues to be taken up at the Roundtable, to be held on April 24.

''The meeting was held in preparation of the conclave vis- a-vis what issues will be taken up and what ground work has been done so far,'' they added.

The third Roundtable has been convened to discuss the recommendations of four of the five Working Groups, constituted by the Prime Minister at the end of the second conclave in Srinagar on May 24-25 last year.

After announcing the third Roundtable on April 13, Mr Azad had said the four working groups had forwarded their recommendations which necessitated convening of conference.

''The recommendations need to be discussed and deliberated upon... the Roundtable conferences and the five working groups will go a long way in settling the issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir,'' he added.

The Working groups were set to give recommendations on good governance, strengthening of Centre-state relations, improving ties across the Line of Control, Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to improve condition of people affected by militancy and economic development of the state.

The group on strengthening Centre-state relations is yet to submit its suggestions.

Several political parties and groups have received invitations for the conclave.

All separatists, including both factions of the Hurriyat Conference, had boycotted the first conclave -- February 25, 2006 -- and the second conclave in May last year.

JKLF, led by Yaseen Malik, today also rejected the invitation for the meeting.

Hardliner Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani headed Hurriyat Conference has already announced that the faction will not attend the April 24 meeting, even before receiving an invitation.

So far other secessionists have not received the invitation for the third Roundtable.

UNI

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