‘No terms for Pak talks,check terror’

At a press conference in Srinagar,Singh said: “We feel it is in our interest,it is in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and it is in the interest of the people of Pakistan that relations between our two countries should be what ought to be between two neighbours.”

“I made an appeal for dialogue yesterday and I hope it will be reciprocated in the spirit in which it was made. We have to carry all stakeholders with us to achieve permanent and peaceful reconciliation in J&K.”

‘DESTINIES INTERLINKED’

“India and Pakistan’s destinies are interlinked. If negotiations to deal with all outstanding issues are to make any headway,it is essential that terrorist elements should be brought under control,” he said.

The PDP,the main opposition party in J&K,welcomed Singh’s announcement on talks with Pakistan without pre- conditions. “This alone could help reach a resolution of the Kashmir problem,” said PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,calling for a national consensus to back up Singh’s initiative for peace. “There must be support for this initiative like the endorsement of (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee’s initiative in 2003.”

APPEAL TO SEPARATISTS

Asked about the Hurriyat moderate Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s remark linking the gun to the “struggle” for Kashmir,Singh said: “One should not read too much into statements made in anger. We still hope that those who have the good and well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their hearts will respond to my appeal… we are in serious discussion with every group provided they shun the path of violence.”

TALIBAN-FUNDING CHARGE FALSE

On Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s claim that India was funding the Taliban,Singh said: “The allegation about India’s role in Balochistan has no basis and those who are levelling these false charges know it jolly well. And the same applies to the latest statement by an important minister who accused India of financing the Taliban. Nothing could be more far fetched,far from the truth that this. We are victims of terrorists,aided and abetted from the Pakistani side.”

On the Kashmir statements made by the Organisation of Islamic countries,China,Saudi Arabia,Turkey and Libya,he said: “We are not going to be induced to act under pressure. We regret that the OIC has got into this business and we have lodged a protest.”

26/11: NOT SATISFIED WITH PAK

Asked whether India was satisfied with Pakistan’s probe into the 26/11 attacks,he said: “We are not satisfied… we sincerely hope and believe that Pakistan will take effective measures to bring to justice all the perpetrators of 26/11.”

HOLISTIC APPROACH ON MAOISTS

On dealing with Maoists,Singh said the Centre needed a holistic approach. “Law and order is a pre-condition for any sustained,social and economic development. So whatever is necessary to enforce law and order,it is the responsibility and duty of any civilized state to do that. But I do recognize that in certain areas,particularly areas where the tribal population is significant,there is alienation,probably reflecting that the development programmes that have been put in place have not reached those places.”

To a query on Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee’s statement that there were no Maoists in India,he said he had not seen the statement. “But obviously the Maoist threat is a reality and the Centre is duty-bound to deal with it in an effective manner.”

On the West Bengal swap of suspected Maoists in exchange for an abducted police officer,he said “it would not be proper for me to comment on any state government,I hesitate to enter into an argument.”