Talks Offer and the APHC

In its lead news, the daily Nadia Musharraq (16 November 2003) reported that Delhi was attempting to rope in the Geelani-led Hurriyat faction in the forthcoming talks. "On 22 October Delhi invited Abbas Ansari’s Hurriyat Conference. According to reliable sources, Delhi is now trying to rope in Geelani’s group into these talks. Sources said that Chief Minister, Mufti Mohd. Sayeed is also likely to be involved in the dialogue process." It continued "Pakistan has acknowledged the Geelani-led rejectionist group as the real Hurriyat and at the same time this faction also enjoys the support of frontline militant outfits." The report stated that if Delhi wanted a successful dialogue on Kashmir it had to involve the separatists groups besides the APHC.

The Aftab reported on 19 November 2003 on the forthcoming joint session of the political leaders of the Hurriyat at the Mirwaiz Manzil. "In a bid to forge unity among the leaders of APHC, Abbas Ansari (Chairman Ansari group) and Sayeed Ali Geelani (Chairman Geelani group- rejectionists) have been invited to attend a high level meeting. Jamat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Awami Action Committee and the Kashmir Bar Association have also been invited on the occasion". It continued quoting Mirwaiz Farooq, "Invitations have been extended to the concerned and the meeting will take place on Wednesday at the Mirwaiz Manzil. All preparations have been made for the meeting and it is aimed at forging unity and understanding among the APHC leaders."

The Hurriyat Conference (Abbas Ansari group) has decided to talk to Union government, reported, the daily bilingual Alsafa (21 November 2003). "The Abbas group has said that it is ready to talk to Delhi but the talks should be unconditional. The general council meeting of the said group was held in Srinagar in which 17 members of different parties participated. Abbas Ansari- Chairman Ansari group inaugurated the meeting. Prof Ab. Gani Bhat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Bilal Gani Lone were present on the occasion." The report further said, "During the meeting the general council members assured the executive council that they have all authority to talk to New Delhi. Mirwaiz Farooq at the end of meeting said the Hurriyat executive has been given full support and endorsement to talk to Centre and it was ready to talk to New Delhi."

Ceasefire

In its lead news ‘Ceasefire on LOC, Bus service between Muzzafrabad and Srinagar’ the daily Afaq (24 November 2003) gave prominence to the statement of Pakistan Prime Minister, Mir Zuffrullah Khan Jamali. "Pakistani troops will observe complete ceasefire on LOC from the beginning of Id. The army has been asked to observe a ceasefire on the LOC. In an address to the nation, Jamali said that Pakistan was ready for resumption of a bus service between Srinagar and Muzzaffrabad. However, it is imperative to explain to the world that to Pakistan, Kashmir is a disputed territory and LOC an ordinary line dividing two countries." The article also noted that Pakistan was willing to open the Kohkhar air route besides Lahore-Amritsar bus service.

Sections of the populace and political groups in the Valley are appreciating the ceasefire on the LOC and the subsequent statement of Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee that he will meet his Pakistani counterpart at the SAARC Conference, reported the daily Aftab (30 November 2003) in its lead news. "People are hopeful that the ongoing efforts for creating a conducive atmosphere between the two countries will receive a further fillip with this latest development. People have expressed the hope that both countries will put in every effort to make the ceasefire a success." It continued, "there are reports that people in the Karnah, Gurace, Uri and Keran sectors also feel happy about the ceasefire on LOC. This time people celebrated Id with great enthusiasm and fervor. People who had migrated from the shelling prone areas are returning to their respective places. Life has come to normal in these border areas", concluded the report.