Srinagar, Sep 11: Two member Australian delegation comprising Diana Nelson, Political Counselor, and Brendan Hodgson, second secretary with Australian High Commission in New Delhi are in the Valley to asses the ground situation.
Diana Nelson while talking to Greater Kashmir said, “It is a routine visit as we visit every part of the country to get the feel of the situation.”
She expressed happiness over Valley witnessing a peaceful summer this year and hoped that peace would continue to prevail. “Situation in the Valley seems to have changed for better,” she said.
On the first day of their visit the two member delegation met the leader of the opposition and the president of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti, Chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Prof Saifuddin Soz, Chairman of the Peoples Conference, Sajad Lone, some top bureaucrats, members of the civil society and a few journalists.
The PC Chairman, Sajad Lone, said that he told the delegation that India and Pakistan need to realize that for peace to prevail permanently Kashmiris have to be taken into confidence. “Parties who fight elections need to keep in mind that the political space pertaining to the sentiment belongs to that leadership which has been rendering sacrifices for the past 20-years.”
Lone said that he emphasized on the need to include moderate elements in the separatist camp, especially Hurriyat Conference (M), in the dialogue process. “This moment is truly historic as realties are dawning on people of Kashmir and they might be in proper frame of mind to take a rational decision,” Lone told the delegation.
The JKPCC Chief, Prof Saifuddin Soz, that he told the delegation that militancy in the Valley has receded and situation is improving.  “You will observe the change on your own,” Soz added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST