Shabir Shah Briefs Indian Delegation

Kashmir in Wikileaks

Leaks disclose secrets of in-camera sessions

PESHAWAR: Whistle-blowing WikiLeaks besides its diplomatic disclosures, has also disclosed the secrets of in-camera sessions of the parliament pertaining to Kashmir and extremist elements in Pakistan, Geo News reported on Saturday.

In its disclosure, WikiLeaks, citing an anonymous source, has stated that ISI informed the parliamentarians and senior officials of the government about some qualities of Taliban elements. The spy agency also informed them about real extremists.

In the briefing, it was stated that some elements in the extremists’ groups would be useful in Kashmir or operation at some other places. The source said that there was difference of opinion among the participants of the in-camera session over this.

 

Pakistan trying to ‘stir the pot’ in Kashmir'

WASHINGTON: Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told the United States earlier this year that Pakistan’s latest moves indicated that it was trying to “stir the pot” in Kashmir.At a meeting with visiting US special envoy Richard Holbrooke in January, Rao expressed concern over the ‘sharp increase in unseasonal Pakistan-inspired violence and preparation for violence’. She pointed to incidents of cross-border shelling along the Line of Control and in Punjab, increased infiltration, and transfer of terrorist hardware.“They are clearly trying to ‘stir the pot’ in Kashmir,” according to a US diplomatic cable of the meeting, leaked by WikiLeaks on Thursday. “In her view, Pakistan is trying to deflect attention to its eastern border from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where the focus ought to be.”The cable, put out by US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer, said  Holbrooke and special adviser Vali Nasr briefed Rao on “the evolving political landscape in Pakistan with a weakening President Zardari and the fluid dynamic between the various centers of power, including COAS Kayani, Prime Minister Gilani, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and Chief Justice Choudhary”.In what clearly would not be music to Pakistani ears, Holbrooke said at the very start of his meeting that he had come to New Delhi ‘with a clear vision of the centrality of India to the strategic landscape in the region’.Significantly, at one point while dealing with Rao’s suggestion that the US should apply pressure on Pakistan to stop supporting the Afghan Taliban, Holbrooke signalled Washington’s own frustration on this score.Holbrooke went on to comment that “Pakistan views certain Taliban groups, particularly the Quetta Shura, as an insurance policy to protect its strategic interests in Afghanistan and it is not clear that anyone can easily influence Pakistan to turn on these groups, although the US is exerting tremendous pressure”.Against this backdrop, Holbrooke cited Washington’s “own difficulties in dealing with the Pakistan government” and suggested that “many people overestimate the US influence in Pakistan”, noted the cable.The special envoy lauded India’s role in Afghanistan, stating that he favours the Indian assistance programmes. He pointedly stated that he “is not influenced by what he hears in Islamabad”.Holbrooke, taking on board India’s acute concerns, made it clear that the US would not let the Taliban enter into a power-sharing agreement in Afghanistan.

India must 'decrease footprint in Afghan' to gain Pak trust: Gilani

SLAMABAD: India needs to "decrease its footprint in Afghanistan and stop interfering in Balochistan" in order to gain Pakistan's trust, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani told US Senator John Kerry during a meeting earlier this year, according to a leaked US embassy cable posted by WikiLeaks.

"During a February 16 meeting with Senator John Kerry, Prime Minister Gilani spoke at length about the state of the Indo-Pakistani relationship. Gilani indicated that the GOP was willing to resume talks with the Indian government, and pointed to the upcoming meetings between India and Pakistan's Foreign Secretaries as evidence of such," said a cable, which was classified as "confidential".

Gilani further said that Pakistan and India had also resumed back channel discussions, and that "improving bilateral relations with India was in Pakistan's best interest as it would enable the GOP to focus all of its attention on securing its western border."

"Gilani, however, noted that in order to gain public support for this process, the U.S. had to treat India and Pakistan equally. He added that India would need to gain Pakistan's trust and indicated that reducing the Indian footprint in Afghanistan and halting Indian support of militants in Balochistan would be steps in the right direction," revealed the cable.

Kerry told Gilani that the upcoming meeting between the Indian and Pakistani Foreign Secretaries had "enormous potential", and urged the Pakistan government "not to allow pressure from the local media and the masses to derail these efforts."

"Kerry argued that dialogue with India was an opportunity to create new security arrangements that could change the regional dynamic. While assuring Gilani that the effort would not be U.S.-driven, Kerry indicated that the USG was open to the idea of serving as a mediator to help facilitate the resumption of the Pakistan-India Composite Dialogue," the leaked cable said.

The senator pointed out out that following the recent bombing in Pune, India was "focused on counter terrorism ., and suggested that the Pakistan government present the Indian government with its plan to tackle terrorism.

"He (Kerry) said that this would be a clear 'confidence builder' that would make India more willing to move forward in talks about Kashmir and water disputes," said the cable.

He also suggested that Pakistan and India sign a non-aggression pact, and added that "the US and other countries of goodwill would be prepared to help in any way possible".

"Gilani agreed to present Kerry's proposal to the the GOP leadership. He was amenable to the idea of a rapprochement in the India-Pakistan relation, but expressed concern that the public would not support the idea," according to the leaked document.

"Kerry said that in order to gain public support for this initiative, the GOP needed to clearly outline the long-term economic benefits of improved bilateral relations, such as improvements in social development and increased investments and trade, to the Pakistani people," the document added.

In 2007 Musharraf said agreement on Kashmir coming very soon

An agreement on Kashmir is coming sooner than anyone might think, an optimistic Pervez Musharraf had told top U.S. Congressional leaders in 2007, informing them that India and Pakistan were on verge of a deal on the contentious issue, leaked cables from WikiLeaks show.

In a meeting with Congressional leaders in Islamabad on January 27, 2007, the then Pakistani President said he and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were on the verge of an agreement on Kashmir and this could be signed as early as April that year.

“Soon -- sooner than anyone might think,” Musharraf is quoted as saying in a State Department cable -- released by Wikileaks -- to the Congressional delegation that included Nancy Pelosi, the then Speaker of the House Representative; Ike Skelton, Chair -- House Armed Services Committee; and Tom Lantos, Chair -- House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Musharraf appreciated Dr. Singh’s flexibility, relating his personal invitation for the President to attend the SAARC Ministerial in New Delhi in April, the cable said.

“Musharraf explained his decision to decline the invitation, saying that there is too much euphoria and expectation at present. If I went to Delhi, but we didn’t sign an agreement, the people would think we had failed,” he said.

“Musharraf said that he has conveyed two options to New Delhi: either PM Singh comes to Pakistan before April to sign an agreement or the two hold a signing ceremony at the SAARC Ministerial,” it said.

Mr. Musharraf shared his enthusiasm for the just-concluded visit to Pakistan by three Jammu and Kashmir leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, noting that he had advised them to engage and bring on board other Kashmiris.

“An agreement should not land like a bombshell...

Leaders must prepare their publics, as he is doing in Pakistan,” the cable said.

26/11 closed door for talks on Kashmir: US envoy told Holbrooke

Washington, December 01, 2010

• The Mumbai terror attacks, which were carried out by the Pakistan-based LeT terror outfit, closed the door for any Indo-Pak discussions on Kashmir, according to a top American diplomat. The remarks by the then American ambassador to Islamabad Anne Patterson were part of a cable dated February 4,

2009, which she wrote for US special envoy for Af-Pak region Richard Holbrook ahead of his maiden trip to Pakistan in his new capacity, following which he also visited India and Afghanistan, showed the classified US documents released by whistle-blower website WikiLeaks.

"Although the conventional wisdom says that Mumbai closed the door on Kashmir discussions, there is no doubt that Pakistan believes tackling the Kashmir issue remains the key to regional security," Patterson wrote in the cable.
Noting that Indo-Pakistan relations were still simmering, Patterson, according to the leaked cable, said that in the wake of Mumbai attacks and accelerating militant control of Pakistani territory, the military/ISI faced the need to re-evaluate its historic use of proxy tribes/militant groups as foreign policy tools.
Patterson said that to avoid a potential Indian military strike, Pakistan needed to show progress on prosecuting those responsible for the Mumbai attacks.
"Interior Minister (Rehman) Malik will outline to you his plan to prosecute Lashkar-e-Taiba/Jamaat-ud-Dawa (LeT/JUD) suspects now in custody. The key will be whether the military/ISI is ready to turn the Mumbai suspects over to civilian law enforcement, and whether India considers Pakistani actions adequate," the ambassador said.
"(Army chief Ashfaq Parvez) Kayani, in particular, wants to avoid a reckoning with his past leadership of ISI. Despite arrests of key LeT/JUD leaders and closure of some of their camps, it is unclear if ISI has finally abandoned its policy of using these proxy forces as a foreign policy tool; we need to continue pressing them to realise this strategy has become counter-productive in Kashmir, Afghanistan and FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas)," the cable said.
Patterson told Holbrook that the Pakistani Foreign Ministry quashed the National Assembly debate of a resolution signed by leaders of most of the political parties urging the US to appoint a special envoy on Kashmir, or add that portfolio to your plate.

"However, privately, (President Asif Ali) Zardari and FM (Shah Mahmood) Qureshi have indicated they would welcome your engagement on Kashmir," Patterson wrote in the cable to Holbrooke.

Pak focuses on Kashmir: Wikileaks

ISLAMABAD: Kashmir also appears among the diplomatic flood-peaks of Wikileaks stories raging across the globe these days.

 

In the context of Pakistan-France mutual relations Jasmine Zerinini, Head of the French Government’s Inter-Agency Afghanistan-Pakistan Cell is quoted by Paris-based US Embassy as saying that “the Pakistani government is eager for trade concessions, but does not want any political dialogue unless it is focused on Kashmir”.

 

In its secret message to US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton the US Embassy in Paris quotes Zernini: “France is working to reinforce its political relations with Pakistan, and was expecting President Sarkozy to visit Pakistan early in the second quarter of 1010. The GOF (Govt of France) does not want to return to a relationship based on military equipment sales, as in the 1980s, and is instead focusing on counter terrorism in addition to economic and trade links.

 

“France is also trying to support an EU-Pakistan dialogue, but she (Zernini) said Pakistan makes it difficult by rejecting conditionality and attempting to focus exclusively on economic issues. Zernini said the Pakistani government is eager for trade concessions, but does not want any political dialogue unless it is focused on Kashmir.”

No Surrender

Kashmir Rehabilitation Policy

FIRDOUS TAK

Jammu, Nov 22: Jammu and Kashmir government Monday approved the much awaited `Rehabilitation Policy’ paving way for the return of youth who had crossed over to Pakistan administered Kashmir with the eruption on turmoil in the Valley.
Well placed sources in the ruling alliance told Greater Kashmir that the state cabinet, which met here for the first time after shifting of Durbar to the winter capital, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah gave the final nod to the policy, drafted by state and approved by the Union Home Ministry.
The Chief Minister was of the view that once the policy comes into effect, new channel would be opened up enabling these youths to resume their normal life after proper precautions were taken.
“What is proposed is that for those who are desirous of returning without arms and resuming some form of normal life, we will open channels for them so that they can be able to come back,” Omar had said.
National Conference reportedly had a smooth sailing in approving the policy despite reservations from the Congress ministers, who had sought some more time in view of the ensuing elections for Panchayats and urban local bodies.
The cabinet decision will now be followed with the constitution of a high-level committee to be headed by Commissioner/Secretary Home, which will be the final authority to clear the cases under the policy.
As per the policy, youth who had crossed over to Pakistan and PaK will be brought under the ambit of the scheme. The policy had received nod from by the Union Home Ministry also after consultation with the Army and central security agencies, official sources said.
The pre-requisite for getting benefit of the policy would, however, be `change of heart’, one of the cabinet ministers, present in the meeting said. He added that the policy will only for those who want to shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream.
Under the policy, parents of the youth who had crossed over to Pakistan or PaK can approach the Superintendent of Police of their district certifying that their ward wanted to return and live a normal life.
The parents will receive orders from the SP only after the case is scrutinized by all the intelligence agencies operating in the state, the sources said. The case will also be forwarded to the high level committee to be constituted in this regard by the government for final approval; sources said adding that the committee will scrutinize cases which receive clearance from the intelligence agencies.
Such youth will be kept in a camp where they would be monitored and imparted counselling so that they could earn their livelihood, the sources said. In the meantime, if someone arrived with their wife and children, they would also be provided with emergency certificate.
For those youth, who do not have any relation, the surrender application can be filed before the Indian High Commission in Pakistan. Government is also contemplating to provide online information and application form under the policy.
The policy, which was discussed threadbare with Union Home Ministry, is expected to put an end to illegal entry of such youths who were entering India through Nepal, Bangladesh or Wagah border using fake documents and coming to Kashmir, sources said.
Government has selected four entry points – Poonch-Rawalakote (Poonch), Uri-Muzaffarabad (Uri), Wagah (Punjab) and Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi from where the youth, given clearance, can enter the state.
“They will be arrested on the entry point and brought to Counselling Centres”, a senior government officer said adding that such youth, who have cases pending against them in any police station, will be tried before the court of law.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Surrender application to be filed before SP, Indian High Commission in Islamabad

* Online application form to be made available

* Applications to be scrutinized by intelligence agencies

* Four entry points identified for return

* Returnee youth to be kept in Counselling Centre for 3 months

* Youth to be tried for cases pending against them

PTI

The much-talked about surrender policy for youths who had exfiltrated from Jammu and Kashmir between 1989 and 2009 for arms training and have a change of heart now was cleared on Monday by the State Cabinet.

Under the policy, youths who had crossed over to Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) will be eligible for the scheme.

The policy had received nod from by Union Home Ministry too after consultation with the Army and central security agencies, official sources said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was of the view that once the policy comes into effect, new channel would be opened up enabling these youths to resume their normal life after proper precautions were taken.

“What is proposed is that for those who are desirous of returning without arms and resuming some form of normal life, we will open channels for them so that they can be able to come back,” Mr. Abdullah had said.

Under the policy, parents of the youths who had crossed over to Pakistan or PoK can approach the Superintendent of Police of their district certifying that their child wanted to return and live a normal life.

The policy, which was discussed threadbare with the Union Home Ministry, is expected to put an end to illegal entry of such youths who were entering India through Nepal, Bangladesh or the Wagah border post using fake documents.

These parents will receive orders from the SP only after the case was scrutinised by the State CID in consultation with the central security agencies, the sources said.

Under the policy, the youth will be kept in a camp where they would be monitored and imparted training so that they could earn their livelihood, the sources said. In the meantime, if someone arrived with their wife and children, they would also be provided with emergency certificates.

“There will be a cooling off period, some counselling, rehabilitation and certain amount of interface between the security forces and them to be assured that they are not being planted and they are actually people who are coming back for resumption of normal life. That is the broad parameters of the policy,” a senior official said.

Asked what could be the number of such people, the official said “the numbers run into thousands but I am not, even for a moment, suggesting that all are going to come knocking on our door on the first day. It may really be a very small trickle that seeks to take advantage of this but the fact is that people are coming.”

Cabinet approves rehab policy

Youth ‘stranded’ in PaK can return to Valley
Shabir Dar
Jammu, Nov 22: After nod from Home minister P Chidambaram, the cabinet Monday finally approved the surrender and rehabilitation policy for youth who had crossed LoC between 1989 and 2009 for receiving arms training and are now willing to return home.
The cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, held exhaustive deliberations on the ways and means to rehabilitate the youth before approving the policy.
It was the first cabinet meeting in Jammu after the Darbar re-opened here earlier this month.

Confirming cabinet’s approval to surrender and rehabilitation policy, Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir said the rehabilitation policy was the main agenda of the meeting. “It was unanimously approved by the cabinet,” he said.

Minister for Industries Surjit Singh Slathia said that notice in this regard will be issued soon. “The draft has already been formulated by the government and its implementation will start soon”.

Sources said the surrender and rehabilitation policy envisages that the family members of the youth who has crossed the LoC and are presently in Pakistan-administered-Kashmir and want to return back, should approach the concerned Superintendent of Police with an undertaking certificate that their wards want to return.

“Thereafter, the case would be thoroughly scrutinized by various security and intelligence agencies and after their go ahead, the parents of the youth would receive information of return of their wards,” they said.

The policy, sources said, further states that the youth will be kept in rehabilitation camp where they would be monitored and imparted training so that they could earn their livelihood. “If someone arrived with their wife and children, they too would be provided with emergency certificates,” they said.

They said there will be a cooling off period, some counselling, rehabilitation and certain amount of interface between the security forces and the youth to ensure that they are not being planted and actually want to resume normal life. “That is the broad parameters of the policy. Cases would also be filed against them, if found involved in any criminal activity before crossing the LoC,” sources said.

Home minister P Chidambaram has already given a go ahead to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for implementation of the policy during their recent meeting in New Delhi.

“Home Minister was very eager for the package and wanted the state cabinet to approve it without any further delay. Now, that the state cabinet has approved the policy, it will be forwarded to the Centre for approval. The final package will be announced by the Union Cabinet,” a senior cabinet minister said.

Omar first talked about the rehabilitation policy in his address during Chief Ministers’ Conference on internal security in New Delhi on February 7 earlier this year.

Sources said Home Minister readily agreed to the package since it was in line with the recommendation of one of the five working groups set up by the Prime Minister in May 2004. The working group had mooted general amnesty for “misguided youths who want to shun the gun and return to the mainstream”.

“The policy is tipped to be a major confidence building measure for Indo-Pakistan dialogue to get underway,” a senior government functionary said.

Official sources maintain that the proposed rehabilitation package may be extended not only to those who had crossed over to PaK for receiving arms training but also to hundreds of those who had crossed the LoC for economic and social reasons. 

The Cabinet also approved the release of COLA for the PSU employees.

RK

Indian state launches 'militant rehabilitation' policy

• By Binoo Joshi BBC News, Jammu

The government in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has given formal approval to a rehabilitation policy for militants.

It is the first time that that such a policy has been introduced for militants who have allegedly trained in Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
The state government says militants must "eschew arms and violence" if they want to take advantage of the scheme.
They must also "accept the integrity of India" and its constitution.
There has been no reaction from Pakistan or the government of Pakistani-administered Kashmir to the announcement.
Thousands of people have joined the Kashmir insurgency since it began 20 years ago.
Officials say the new scheme is different from previous initiatives because it is specifically targeted towards militants who have been or who are based in Pakistan.
It is geared towards those who have crossed from Indian-administered Kashmir into Pakistani-administered Kashmir to get arms training so that they can join militant groups fighting Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir.
The scheme currently in place - launched in 2004 - offers rehabilitation and monetary incentives only for "local militants".
"The new scheme is only open for those who are willing to [solemnly renounce] violence and the gun," a senior cabinet minister told the BBC.
He added that the process of screening such people would be "very strict" and would involve various security and intelligence agencies.
"We have to be sure that only genuine people make use of [it]," the minister said.
There is no exact estimate provided by India as to how many people are currently receiving training on the Pakistani side, but security agencies reckon it is about 3,000 people.
Pakistan has consistently denied that it provides any assistance to militants fighting in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Indian Home Minister Mr P Chidambram has backed the idea, but the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it was a "dangerous step and a big security risk" which they would "fight tooth and nail".

Jehad Counsil Rejects

Jehad Counsil has objected to the exclusion of Kashmir from a list of disputes.Jehad Counsil Secretary Genaral and Ameer of Tehreek ul Mujahideen Sheikh Jameel ur Rehman said,
"Jammu and Kashmir dispute is on the AGENDA OF UN FOR 63 YEARS,It is time not to exslude but include the issue on the agenda of Security Counsil as top dispute." "Kashmir is atomic flash Point"he said.
"Time has come to solve the issue according to the wishes of the people and we reject division of Kashmir",he added. He said that Indian forces in Kashmir are terrorist and are killing innocent Kashmiris mercilessly.Let India vacate Kashmir once for all.This is the only solution.