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DAKAR (Senegal): OIC Kashmir Contact Group meeting was held in a very concerning environment. Member States of OIC in general and Members of the Contact Group in particular in their opening remarks at the plenary expressed their concern about the long lingering, oldest unresolved dispute of Kashmir. The secretary General of OIC, Mr. Ekmelledin Ahsanoglu, in his address to the plenary explicitly asserted his view point that the dialogue between India and Pakistan should focus their attention towards the centrality of this dispute. In a similar manner, Dr. Abdullah Gul, President of Peoples Republic of Turkey was highly concerned with the plight of Kashmir. Tajikistan pleaded for the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir. The Chairman of the host country in his opening remarks referred to the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.The Contact Group Meeting was a reflection of an overall concern about Kashmir at the OIC Summit. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary General OIC, Turkey, Pakistan, Niger, Saudi Arabia and Senegal were represented. Kashmiri delegation included Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman, All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Jammu & Kashmir; Professor Nazir Shawl, Executive Director, Justice Foundation/Kashmir Center, London; and Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive director, Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center, Washington.
Addressing the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir Prof. (Dr.) Ekmeleddin Ahsanoglu asserted, "We reaffirm our full support for and solidarity with the people of JAMMU & Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for their fundamental human rights including the right of self-determination. In fact, the question of Jammu & Kashmir has been one of the oldest unresolved issues on the agenda of the OIC and the continued support of the organization to the Kashmiri people in realizing their aspirations has remained strong and unwavering and this is why the issue has continued to feature in all Islamic Summit and foreign ministers conferences."
He further said, "OIC continues to encourage (peaceful and negotiated settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and to sustain and push forward peace process in order to resolve all outstanding issues while associating the Kashmiri people in a result oriented dialogue."
Mr. Inaamul Haq, the foreign minister of Pakistan said, "Pakistan remains deeply concerned over the widespread and continued human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir. He further said, "In South Asia durable and lasting peace can be achieved only by amicably resolving the core dispute of Jammu & Kashmir in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people."
Dr. Ali Baba Jan, the foreign minister of Turkey welcomed the India-Pakistan engagement but said any negotiation can move forward by recognizing the Kashmiris' right to self-determination.
Dr. Madani, The State Minister of foreign affairs said Saudi Arabia favors the realization of the Kashmiri aspirations in letter and spirit and the legitimate right of the people of Jammu & Kashmir should be redeemed in lie of their aspirations.
The Senegalese Secretary General for foreign affairs promised the people of Jammu & Kashmir the full support of his Government and people and he said that they supported the Kashmir cause in the past and we will do that in future as well.
The representative of Niger said the right of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is a basic human right and we assure the Kashmiri delegation of our complete and unconditional support to their just cause.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman, All Parties Hurrieyt Conference said, "Post 11th September terrorist attacks in the United States have drastically transformed the international environment. OIC condemned these attacks, so did the All Parties Hurriyet Conference. We as Muslims believe that terrorism is against the spirit and the belief system of Muslims. We must condemn terrorism in all its shades and manifestations."
Mirwaiz said that "a reiteration to reassure all the struggles for self-determination is very essential. The right to freedom never gets extinguished. In this context recent declaration of independence by Kosovo is just a whiff of fresh air which is still blowing all over the world. We welcome this new member nation and hope that entire international community in general and the OIC in particular will stand in solidarity with the people of Kosovo. The people of Kashmir stand encouraged by this historic development."
Professor Nazir Shawl while speaking on the occasion said freedom is our undying dream and we believe in the realization of our cherished dreams. OIC must reassure support to the people of Jammu & Kashmir in their noble just struggle for the realization of right of self-determination.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai thanked the Secretary General for his complete support and reassuring statement about the long denied rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Dr. Fai requested the Secretary General to send Ambassador Mufti, Assistant Secretary General & OIC Special Envoy on Kashmir to visit Indian Occupied Kashmir. He reiterated that India and Pakistan by themselves cannot and should not reach a settlement of the dispute over Kashmir without associating the genuine and accredited leadership of people of Jammu and Kashmir in all future negotiations.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq presented a memorandum on behalf of the people of Jammu & Kashmir to the Chairman OIC Kashmir Contact Group.
The Kashmir declaration already discussed by the members of the Contact Group was approved and submitted to Islamic Summit.
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