WASHINGTON: The Clinton Administration favors the use of negotiations rather than force to resolve the crisis arising out of Kashmir militants barricading themselves in the Hazratbal mosque, And it has been assured that this would indeed be the aim of the government of India, among others by the Indian Chief of the Army Staff

 

Robin Raphel, Assistant Secretary of State in charge of South Asia, told a Congressional subcommittee on Tuesday, “We have told the Indians and have been reassured that they want a resolution by negotiation.”

She said that US officials had talked to the Indian Chief of Army Staff, Gen B.C Joshi, and the Indian Foreign Secretary. Both had said that the government wanted to resolve the situation peacefully,

The Clinton Administration was joined in urging fora peaceful resolution of the crisis by Congressman Gary Ackerman, the chairman of the subcommittee on Asia and Pacific of the House Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congress. He said, “I would urge the militants inside the mosque not to be provocative and the government to re Strain itself and avoid any more tragedy and violence.” Congressman Ackerman, who is known to be a friend of India, said, “I would urge in the strongest of possible terms to encourage our friends in the Indian government to refrain to the greatest extent possible from the use of force lest we wind up in a situation which results in loss of lives.”

The Hazaratbal issue came up for hearing of the subcommittee on Asia and Pacific. Congressman Dan Burton, Republican from Indiana, sought the permission of the chair to make a statement on Kashmir and the occupation of the Hazratbal Mosque by Kashmiri militants.

Drawing the attention of the subcommittee to the “current standoff in Kashmir,” Burton said that “several Kashmiris seeking independence” were barricaded in the Hazaratbal Mosque which is surrounded by Indian security forces. He said that some of the civilians who had organized “peace full rallies to urge a peaceful resolution of the crisis,” had been “badly beaten by Indian security forces during these rallies.” Specifically, he expressed concern about Abdul Ghani Lone who he claimed had been so badly beaten that he feared for his life. Lone, he said, was being taken to the Baba to detention center,

Burton asked the Clinton Administration to urge the Government of India to secka peaceful resolution to the standoff and ask the Indian security forces to show “appropriate restraint in dealing with peaceful protesters.”

Ms.Raphel when invited to present the facts of the case before the committee told the subcommittee, “We talked to the government of India and the head of the milttary, Gen Joshi, who said that the government wants to resolve it peacefully.”

The Assistant Secretary of State said the Clinton Administration urged all parties “to exercise restraint and care and come forward with a resolution (of the crisis) without any loss of life.” ‘

Asked what might happen if the standoff, got prolonged, Raphel said, “The Indian government does not have to look too far back in its history to see how military resolution of the crisis may turn out lam referring of course to the 1984 Golden Temple episode.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 5, 1993