PARLIAMENT RENEWS CALL FOR INITIATIVE ON KASHMIR
February 6, 2002 12:00 AM
The European Parliament has backed an urgency resolution not only
condemning terrorism in the Indian sub-continent but also repeating a
call for the EU to offer its services as a facilitator to promote a wider
peace process over the disputed territory of Indian controlled Kashmir.
The motion, approved by a substantial majority after a debate in
Strasbourg this afternoon, also calls for all the parties involved to
renew dialogue in the spirit of the Simla Agreement, the Lahore
Declaration and the relevant United Nations resolutions on the disputed
territory.
Euro MP Liz Lynne and ELDR Deputy Secretary General Nicolo Renaldi were
the LibDem group representatives on the negotiating team which drew up the
final agreed text. In a speech to MEPs during the debate, Liz Lynne said
she was glad the motion had been widened to tackle the root causes of
terrorism.
She said: "We condemn terrorism and we condemn the attacks on the Indian
Parliament. There can be no justification for terrorism whatever the
perceived provocation.
"Having said that we need to look at the root causes of terrorism. This is
an opportunity to address the wider questions in the region.
"I welcome President Musharraf's announcement that he is clamping down on
terrorism. It is also important to look at the dispute over Jammu and
Kashmir which has been going on for the last 50 years.
"It is right that we repeat the call for the EU to offer its services as a
facilitator over Kashmir and to take into account the relevant UN
resolutions which have been on the table for over 50 years. What I am
calling for is something very similar to the service that Senator Mitchell
offered so successfully in Northern Ireland.
"Some people say this is not the way forward, but they do not suggest
alternatives to end the suffering of so many people. This resolution
demonstrates our horror at terrorism and our desire to see a reduction of
tension and to work for a longterm peaceful solution."
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