European envoys meet Hurriyat leaders and Hizb mediator

European envoys meet Hurriyat leaders and Hizb mediator
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

SRINAGAR, SEPT 25: In a significant development, top diplomats from four European countries today held talks with leaders of the Hurriyat Conference whose Chairman Abdul Gani Bhat said later that the international opinion favoured a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The diplomats, who arrived here on a three-day visit to the state, also met the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmr People's Political Front Fazal Haq Qureshi who acted as a go-between in the aborted dialogue between the Centre and Pakistan-based militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen recently.

The meeting between the envoys, led by French Ambassador to India Bernard De Montferaand, and Hurriyat leaders lasted for about one and half hours.

Emerging from the meeting, Monteferrand ducked questions from reporters about the nature of discussion with Hurriyat leaders saying the purpose of their current visit was of the same nature as the previous ones by envoys of different countries to Kashmir during past six years.

He parried a question whether they had brought a new proposal for solving the Kashmir issue and said the Indian government was aware of the purpose of the visit of the European delegation to Kashmir.

He said a comprehensive report would be submitted by the members to their respective governments.

Hurriyat Chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat told reporters the discussion with the envoys was focussed on Kashmir issue.

Asked whether European countries would intervene in Kashmir, Bhat said, ``I cannot talk of mediation or intervention. The world opinion is in favour of resolution of Kashmir issue peacefully through dialogue.''