Kashmir, Bosnia fight for freedom: Bhutto

Kashmir, Bosnia fight for freedom: Bhutto

CARTAGENA DE INDIAS, Colombia (JP): Pakistan's Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto, likening the separatist movement in the Indian
province of Kashmir to the plight of Bosnia, suggested that
India's missile program would likely spark a regional arms race.

"The Cold War is over but the fight for freedom continues all
over the world including in Kashmir and Bosnia," she told some
50 heads of state and government at the opening of the three-day
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.

In her address to leaders, which included Indian Prime
Minister Narashima Rao, she noted that the question of Kashmir's
independence is the oldest unresolved item on the United Nations
agenda, going all the way back to 1948 when the world body called
for a plebiscite of self-determination.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir have endured long nights of
suffering. Over forty thousand have been killed, women have been
raped and children have been kidnapped," Bhutto said, adding
that, regardless, "the light of freedom still burns in the hearts
of the people".

She asserted that NAM must be firm against aggression and
suggested that the 113-nation organization form a mechanism to
deal with such atrocities.

"Some international problems involve NAM states. We believe
NAM should look at the possibility of establishing conflict
prevention and a resolution mechanism," she said.

Despite her assertions, she maintained that the rebellion in
Kashmir "has nothing to do with Pakistan."

Rao in his summit address lashed out at Bhutto's remarks,
saying she had violated the conventions of the meeting by
bringing up bilateral issues.

He retorted by saying that Bhutto's accusation was a
"distortion of facts" and asserted that Kashmir and Jammu are an
integral part of India.

"It is my government's intention to protect the lives of
Indian citizens in that region," Rao said, adding that Bhutto's
suggestion for an independent Kashmir was an illusion.

Speaking to journalists, Bhutto had earlier expressed her
concern with the military escalation in India.

"We feel that in India the development of missiles with
nuclear warheads will begin a new arms race and that these
warheads can hit Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Yemen," she
remarked.

The Pakistani leader then said she would like to enter into
negotiations with India to address the concern. (mds)