Separatists welcome Obama's statement on Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 3 (UNI) Separatist organisations today welcomed the statement of United States Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on the Kashmir issue.

Chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq said, ''we welcome the statement of Mr Obama in which he has stressed the need to resolve the long-standing Kashmir issue.'' This was an encouraging statement, he said adding the international community was now recognising that resolution of the issue was necessary for lasting peace in South Asia.

Mirwaiz Omar said Kashmiris have been making supreme sacrifices since 1947 and it was high time to resolve the issue without any further bloodshed.

Acting chairman Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League Mukhtar Ahmad Waza in a statement here hailed the statement of Mr Obama in which he emphasised the need to resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute.

''We also welcome the statement of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in which he had called for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue,'' Mr Waza said.

Several other separatist organisations have also welcomed the statements of Mr Obama and Mr Ban on the Kashmir issue.

UNI BAS ASM GL CS1726