WASHINGTON DC: Members Of the Board of Directors of the Kashmiri American Council at its annual meeting Dec 1S reaffirmed the policy resolution of the Council that serves the basis to draw Attention to the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination as promised by successive United Nations Resolutions. The Board meeting reviewed the activities during the year and discussed future strategies.

“The policy resolution set forth a political agenda which will be aggressively pursued by the Kashmir community in 1993” stated Dr.Ghulam Nabi Fai Executive Director of the Kashmiri American Council.

The policy resolution urges the Clinton Administration to make several fundamental changes in the United States policy toward Kashmir.

  1. The United States must recognize that the status of Kashmir be an integral part of any regional dialogue one cannot deal with the nuclear proliferation question in South Asia without simultaneously addressing the regional conflict in Kashmir.
  2. Any talks between India and Pakistan must also include legitimate representatives from Kashmir. The talks must be tripartite.
  3. The United States must bring pressure to bear on India to stop its campaign of terror in Kashmir. U.S. foreign assistance and trade benefits should be directly linked to India’s performance on human rights.
  4. The people of Kashmir must have the final say in their status. Their wishes determined by a majority of the population through a free and democratic plebiscite must be respected. There is no other way to lasting peace.
  5. The United Nations resolutions of 1948 and 1949 which called for the holding of a national plebiscite must remain the guiding principles to any settlement and.
  6. Just as it has in the Middle East the United States must work pro-actively to bring the parties of the dispute to the negotiating table.

“Kashmiris have reason for hope. Last year the now vice president elect Albert Gore sponsored legislation-S.Res. 91 which called on India to cease its atrocities in Kashmir and for all parties (India Pakistan and the people of Kashmir) to seek a negotiated settlement to the dispute.

His support for Kashmir in the Senate bodes well for the Clinton Gore Administrations future policy toward the region” stated Dr. Fai.

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