We remain relevant: Lone

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 25. Senior Hurriyat leader, Mr. Abdul Gani Lone, today castigated the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, for ``ruling out'' a mediatory role for the All-Party Hurriyat Conference. ``Where have we said that we wanted to mediate between India and Pakistan? All we have said - and say it again - is that we can help create a conducive atmosphere for the success of New Delhi's peace initiative.''

At the same time, Mr. Lone rejected the suggestion that there could be a convergence of approaches between Mr. Advani and Syed Ali Shah Geelani, two `hard-liners' reinforcing each other's extreme views and constituency. ``Mr. Geelani is honest in his views and says what he means; Mr. Advani is simply sabotaging his Prime Minister's peace politics.''

Not bothered with the power games in New Delhi, Mr. Lone calmly reiterated that any attempt to bypass the APHC - recognised by the Organisation of Islamic Countries, including Pakistan - as the ``true representative of the people of Jammu and Kashmir'' would not pay any peace dividends. Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Lone made a reasonably convincing case as to why the APHC thinks it is entitled to call itself the ``sole'' or ``true'' representative of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. ``We articulate the pain and sufferings of the people of Kashmir; we see the Farooq Abdullah Government as one in a long line of regimes New Delhi had imposed on the people of Kashmir; Dr. Abdullah had a historic opportunity to align himself with the people of Kashmir, but he chose to side with those who perpetrate atrocities on the people of Kashmir. Naturally, this Government lacks legitimacy.''

Mr. Lone went on to argue that even the military regime in Pakistan would not be able to ignore the Hurriyat, not withstanding the attraction of bilateralism. ``Without an endorsement from the Hurriyat leadership, no peace package can be sold to the people of Pakistan. No regime - military or civilian - can take the risk of ditching the representatives of people of Jammu and Kashmir. Statesmanship in New Delhi and Islmabad requires taking account of this reality,'' he said.

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