Ninth International Kashmir Peace Conference Opens at Washington, D.C.

New Delhi, Aug.1 : The 9th International Kashmir Peace Conference organized by Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Centre Washington and Congressmen Joseph Pits, Republican, Congressman Jim Moran Democrat and Congresswomen Yvette Clarke, Democrat at Capitol Hill opened Association of Humanitarian Lawyers on Thursday.

The Congressmen in their remarks welcomed the participants to Conference at Washington and hoped that pool their wisdom and intellect to find ways and paths to the resolution of the longstanding Kashmir conflict. They also hailed the efforts of Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai and Dr. Karen Parker for their efforts to bring to Washington a diverse community to deliberate and exchange their ideas for a forward movement.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai in his opening remarks said that Kashmiris are basic party to any resolution and our purpose is to encourage bringing together of scholars, academics, diplomats, from India, Pakistan and Kashmir as well as policy makers in Washington D.C.

The KAC believes in self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and recognizes necessity of building bridges and avoiding war. Placing Kashmir dispute in its historical perspective, Dr. Fai appealed the US policy makers to come forward to prevent the further destabilization of South Asia and play a pro-active role to take Kashmir peace process to its logical conclusion for redeeming the right of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Chairperson Association of Humanitarian Lawyers lamented the Kashmir problems has suffered misguided verbiage and pleaded to address the problem with a positive mind set and understand that a human problem has to be addressed in a humanitarian way because ultimate objective to empower the people of Jammu and Kashmir to have all their fundamental freedom and rights restored to live with honor and dignity.

On this occasion messages from US President George W. Bush, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, former US President Jimmy Carter, Prime Minister of Gordon Brown, and US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, Former US President, George H Bush, Prime Minister, Helen Clarke of New Zealand, Governor General of Australia and President of Finland were read.

Eminent scholars, journalists, political leaders from India, Pakistan, Kashmir and from other countries including Justice Rajinder Sachar, Former Chief Justice, New Delhi High Court are taking part in the conference that would concluded tomorrow. By Ravinder Singh Robin

ANI