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KASHMIR
RECENT INDIAN GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE?
Welcome Prime Minister's all party initiative on Kashmir on 7 March. A delegation of senior Indian MPs visited Srinagar on 8 March. Cabinet Minister for Kashmir has been appointed.
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Encouraged by signs that both sides are trying to cool things
down and avoid confrontation at the border. Convinced neither side
wants or would benefit from confrontation.
ABUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS?
Concerned by loss of life in Jammu and Kashmir.
Have expressed
hope that Indian authorities will deal with situation with maximum
restraint.
SIMLA AGREEMENT?
Under 1972 Simla Agreement, Indian and Pakistan "resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed between Both sides also committed themselves in the Simla Agreement
them".
to "a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir".
BRITAIN SHOULD INTERVENE?
HMG's longstanding position unchanged: believe the dispute is a matter to be settled peacefully between the two sides.
Have expressed hope for peaceful settlement and made clear
Britain would be ready to try to help, but only if both sides wished
us to do so.
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Have also made clear that we have absolutely no sympathy with those who use violence for political ends.
REMOVAL OF FOREIGN JOURNALISTS?
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Understand foreign journalists advised to leave Jammu and Kashmir for their own safety. Believe firmly in freedom of press. But in last resort it is up to local authorities whether to allow people to stay in area of tension.
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