Euro-MP welcomes Kashmir Talks

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 16th Feb 2004

Commenting on the news that India and Pakistan have begun formal talks for the first time in three years West Midlands Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne said:

"I am of course delighted that India and Pakistan have resumed formal talks, with Kashmir high on the agenda. I very much hope they will succeed where previous efforts have failed. This is a far cry from 18 months ago when the two countries were caught in a vicious circle of brinkmanship and appeared to be on the verge of nuclear war.

"These talks should not be about looking back at the atrocities committed on whatever side. It is not about attributing blame. It is about looking forward to the future and to the real potential we have now to move forward and find a permanent peaceful settlement.

"We should also recognise that the Pakistan President General Musharraf has put his life on the line in pursuing peace talks and that he is under tremendous pressure from extremist groups to adopt a hard line against India. The international community must be careful not to leave him isolated.

"The people of Kashmir have been caught in the middle of these tensions for decades. We must now look forward to the future and to the real potential we have to find a permanent peaceful settlement. Ultimately, the views of the Kashmiri people themselves must be taken into greater account."

ENDS

Notes to editors

Liz Lynne MEP is the President of the Liberal Democrat Friends of Kashmir, and a Vice Chair of the European Parliament All Party Kashmir Intergroup.

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone Liz Lynne on 0032 2284 7521 (Brussels) or 077644 52725 (mobile) or Press Officer Stuart Ritchie on 01789 266354 or 07833668158 (Mobile).