Winds of change over Kashmir

Our optimism stems primarily from the move away by the two major contestants in the conflict from old positions marked by rigidity and inflexibility to a position that indicates freshness in their attitude to the whole dispute. Both have indicated a willingness to purge the burden of history by approaching the daunting issue with a positive frame of mind.

President Musharraf has shown courage and imagination in suggesting the three-phase formula on Kashmir. Indeed one has to be a very bold Pakistani leader to broach solutions to the Kashmir problem that are in marked contrast to its long established position on the dispute, which President Musharraf's recent formula purports to do.

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And, unlike in the past, India has not rejected the proposal out of hand. In fact, Indian attitude to the issue has been reflected in the pronouncements of Mr. Manmohan Singh who displayed his flexibility on the matter by suggesting that no issue is intractable if approached with humanity and honesty. Withdrawal of Indian troops from some parts of Kashmir that commenced recently, its symbolism notwithstanding, reflects attitudinal change on India's part.

We in Bangladesh would like a quick and peaceful resolution to the entire issue. It must be remembered though that there are three parties to the conflict, the most important being the people of Kashmir whose unflinching support and wholehearted participation in resolving the dispute is indispensable.

We have no doubt that the leadership in both countries is genuine about peace. We are heartened that due importance has been given to Musharraf's suggestion on Kashmir because these are positive signals that must be built up on, if durable peace between the two countries is to be a reality.

No doubt any solution of the Kashmir dispute would require discarding the long-held positions of the respective parties. This is only possible through bold initiatives and statesmanship rather than narrow parochial shortsighted policies.