Not against dialogue on Kashmir issue: Geelani

Chairman of Hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani today said he was not against the dialogue process on Kashmir issue but it should be aimed at finding a permanent solution.

Geelani's statement came in the wake of prime minister Manmohan Singh's appeal for dialogue with separatists and other groups for peace in the state. "I am not against the dialogue process. I have kept my doors open for a meaningful dialogue aimed at finding the resolution of Kashmir issue through UN resolutions," Geelani said addressing a public meeting at Baramulla, 55 kms from here.

The Hurriyat leader, whose call for strike today in support of the demand for withdrawal of troops evoked a full response in North Kashmir, said, "bilateral talks between India and Pakistan, and New Delhi and Kashmiris have been held a number of times over the past six decades but failed to resolve the Kashmir issue."

"Kashmir is the core issue between the two countries and the Indian leadership are on record having promised right of self-determination to us. There are also UN resolutions guaranteeing right of self-determination to Kashmiris." He said talks are futile exercise unless India accepts Kashmir as a disputed territory, withdraws its troops and release political prisoners.

"These are not the pre-conditions but a necessity for making the talks result-oriented," he said.