No talks without Pak -- Hizbul
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

ISLAMABAD, JULY 30: Pakistan-based militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen today threatened to review its ceasefire if India sets conditions for the proposed talks. ``The beginning of the talks process will be impossible unless India categorically announces to hold unconditional talks. Hizbul Mujahideen will have no other option but to review its ceasefire declaration,'' Hizbul's supreme commander Syed Salahuddin said in a statement here.

He said the Kashmir issue could be settled ``only through tripartite talks that include Kashmiris, India and Pakistan.'' Salahuddhin said Hizbul created a ``conducive'' atmosphere for talks with India by announcing unilateral ceasefire.

Spokesman of HM Saleem Hashmi told Associated Press that ``We won't accept any conditions which say that talks should be within the ambit of Indian constitution or without involving Pakistan.''

He said the Hizbul central command council, which met here today, has asked India to bring ``flexibility'' in its stand towards Pakistan.

Meanwhile, a faction of Hizbul Mujahideen today announced it would not abide by the ceasefire of its top leadership.

The central advisory council of Pakistan chapter of Hizbul at its emergency meeting here vowed to continue `jehad' against India, a statement released by the chapter said.

The meeting, chaired by its chief Muhammad Osman Mujahideen asked the Hizbul central leadership to resume the `jehad.'

Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.