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)