Pakistan and India open Kashmir trade today

OCCUPIED SRINAGAR
(October 21 2008)

India and Pakistan are due to start trading on Tuesday between their divided zones of Kashmir, raising hopes that the revolt-hit region could see a major drop in tensions. It will be the first time that trucks will roll between the two zones created in the bloody aftermath of independence of the subcontinent from Britain six decades ago, when the region was split into India and Pakistan.

"The step will go a long way to cooling tempers in Indian held Kashmir," said Tahir Mohiudin, the editor of Urdu-weekly Chattan in held Kashmir, where a insurgency has raged since 1989.

The countries, who have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, are to resume trade across the heavily militarised Line of Control, a key demand of Kashmiris who this summer led some of the largest-ever anti-India demonstrations in the region. The weeks of protests began over a row to provide land to a Hindu pilgrim trust, sparking Muslim anger.

A government decision to reverse that order because of the anger then prompted a punishing blockade by Hindu hard-liners of the only road linking the held Kashmir valley with the rest of India. "Opening the trade route to Pakistan will have a psychological impact. It will create a confidence in people that even if the Indian route is shut, they have an alternate route (for trade)," Mohiudin said.

Anything calming tensions would be good news for Indian authorities, who announced plans on the weekend to press ahead with polls in Indian Kashmir later this year despite the recent upheavals in the state.

The business community is delighted at the move. "I'm hopeful I'll be doing business soon with people in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan," said Abdul Hameed, who owns an electrical generator company. Business leaders from the divided zones have already met in held Kashmir to discuss the opening of trade. Hameed said the blockade convinced them of the need for an alternative trade route.

The first link to be opened Tuesday will be between occupied Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. The route to Muzaffarabad was the scene of a massive demonstration in early August during the blockade when 100,000 protesters marched toward the Line of Control, intending to cross over.

A prominent Kashmiri leader and four other protesters were shot dead when Indian forces halted the marchers. The second trade route, expected to be opened at a later date, connects Poonch in southern Indian held Kashmir with Rawalkot village in Azad Kashmir. A bus service was launched between the two sides in 2005, the first fruit of a peace process begun the previous year by the two countries.

The opening of the trade between two parts of the disputed region will go a long way toward building confidence among the Kashmiri traders, who suffered losses due to the recent economic blockade. "The blockade created fear. If it happened once, it can happen again," said Amin-bin Khaliq, adding he suffered big financial losses over the summer as he couldn't export dry fruit in time.

"India is a good market but if we're able to sell our goods in Azad Kashmir it will be a huge bonus," said Khaliq. Kashmiris have welcomed the opening of the trade route. "The time has come when we should move forward towards economic as well as political freedom," said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, adding the route could turn out to be a "first step towards a political resolution" of the Kashmir issue.

Boucher warns no blank cheque for Pakistan

FIDA HUSSAIN

ISLAMABAD
(October 21 2008)
US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher has said that Pakistan would not get aid in cash from Friends of Pakistan (FoP) and forum's meeting would deliberate on alternate modes of assistance. He stated this while addressing a news conference following the meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi here on Monday.

The US diplomat made this assertion at a time when representatives from FoP countries held a preliminary meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, which was also attended by Prime Minister Gilani. Boucher said there is no lack of trust between the leadership of the two countries as US has extended its full support for the democratic process. Referring to his meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, he said these were very useful and fruitful interactions.

According to IMF estimates, Pakistan, which has been playing frontline state in the US-led war on terror for the last seven years, needs $10 billion within two years to avert a default. "There will be systematic support to Pakistan from FOP group for various projects," Boucher said without giving any further explanation.

The US diplomat also made it clear that Washington is not supportive of the idea of holding talks with militants who lay down their arms. This disclosure also came at a time when the joint sitting of the parliament is discussing the war on terror policy.

"There should be no negotiations with any involved in terrorist activities even in his past," he added. Boucher asked all the political forces and the people to unite against terrorists. "This is essential for having political will and determination to wipe out terrorism," he added.

He said his visit to Pakistan is aimed at follow up of the meetings between President Bush and President Asif Ali Zardari held in New York to assess how US can be more helpful to Pakistan to face the present security and economic challenges.

Boucher expressed concern on the attack by the terrorists on the peace loving people, government officials and security institutions killing innocent people. Boucher referred to the previous deal with the Taliban and added that it had proved a "total failure".

Appreciating the courage and determination of the people of Tribal areas, he said they have shown great courage but they are being killed by the terrorists. He especially mentioned the killing of over 150 elders the last couple of months in various suicide attacks in the tribal areas.

"Terrorism is a threat to Pakistan, Afghanistan and to whole world," said Boucher while appreciating the bold steps taken by Pakistan recently against the terrorists in the Tribal Areas.

Replying to a question, he said, the training of Frontier Constabulary in NWFP is on-going co-operation between the two countries. He said America has already announced $110 million for the help of those who have been displaced due to the disturbed situation in the tribal areas.

Regarding energy crisis being faced by Pakistan, Richard Boucher said US has been extending help to Pakistan for alternate sources of energy. He said Pakistan has great potential for various types of energy including coal and assured the US would extend help in exploring these sources of energy.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood in meeting with Boucher reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to work closely with the international partners in war against terrorism.

Qureshi noted that the third session of Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue, held in Washington in September 2008, had contributed substantively to the two sides' efforts towards deepening bilateral co-operation in diverse areas and building a broad-based and long-term relationship.

Pakistan-US co-operation in the field of counter-terrorism was also discussed during the meeting. The foreign minister highlighted government's three-pronged strategy - combining political, economic development and security tracks - and reaffirmed Pakistan's firm resolve to combat terrorism and extremism. He underscored that Pakistan desired a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He noted that the forthcoming visit of the Afghan foreign minister as well as the mini Jirga meeting in Islamabad would help move the process forward

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