Liz Lynne MEP

Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands

Euro-MP welcomes India's symbolic move towards peace in Kashmir

4.39.04pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 16th Nov 2004

India's announcement that it is to pull 20,000 troops out of Kashmir tomorrow, has been welcomed by Liberal Democrat South Asia Spokesperson in the European Parliament, Liz Lynne.

Although military experts estimate the number of Indian troops in the region to be close to 250,000, Liz Lynne MEP says this is a significant symbolic move towards peace.

She said:

"The fact that India feels they can reduce the number of troops in the region suggests there is a growing trust between Indian and Pakistan leaders. This announcement comes just weeks after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf initiated a debate on the future of Kashmir within his own country.

"At last we have two leaders who appear to want to pull back from the brinkmanship of the past and find away for lasting peace in the region. Any outcome must be agreed by the Kashmiri people who tend to be forgotten in the arguments between India and Pakistan."

ENDS

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