Srinagar, Oct 3: Ahead of the United States President, Barrack Obama’s scheduled visit to India next month, two officials from the American Embassy in New Delhi on Sunday met the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, here to know his views and assess the situation in Valley.
Malik maintained that as a strategic alliance of India and Pakistan, the United States could impress upon both the countries to resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute. 
The officials, Kailash Jha and Pushpinder Dhillon met Malik for nearly an hour and discussed several issues including the situation in Valley. “The Valley has been turned into a jail from the last four months. The people are reeling under continuous curfew since Eid. 110 civilians mostly teenagers have been killed by the troopers and cops. Hundreds of youth have been arrested and are languishing in jails. There is no accountability and rule of law and the men in uniform have been given license to kill,” Malik told the visiting officials.
Malik said the Kashmir dispute had consumed four generations. “Kashmiris were forced to take guns in 1989 when government of India used its military might to crush their non-violent movement for the right to self-determination. The US had played an imperative role in motivating the Kashmiris to shun the gun and start a peaceful process for the resolution of Kashmir. But India is leaving no stone unturned to suppress the aspirations of Kashmiris,” Malik said.
Malik maintained that the ongoing movement was being led by Kashmiri youth. “India has even snatched a space for them to register their protests peacefully. If the suppressive policies continue, Kashmiri youth will be forced to take the violent path again to achieve their goal. It is high time to acknowledge and respect the aspirations and sacrifices of Kashmiris and resolve the dispute in accordance with their wishes,” he said.
Malik told the officials that by virtue of being in strategic alliance of India and Pakistan, the US act could be a catalyst to resolve the dispute.
“The US can use its rapport and friendly relations with Islamabad and New Delhi and impress upon them to resolve the dispute permanently for restoring peace in Valley and south Asia,” he said.
The diplomats however refused to talk to the media. Malik also reserved his comments on whether the diplomats met him in the backdrop of Obama’s visit to India.
Pertinently Obama has been stressing upon New Delhi to settle the Kashmir dispute if it wanted a ticket in the UN Security Council membership. “Go for a Kashmir solution and help bring stability to the region for a ticket to UN Security Council membership and fulfilling your big power aspirations.” Obama according to reports has conveyed to New Delhi.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 3 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 3 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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