Oslo, November 19, 2010
The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre stated that wishes of the Kashmir people should be given major consideration in a future solution to the conflict. While concluding a debate on Kashmir conflict in the Norwegian parliament he said that his government has encouraged Indian and Pakistan to solve the conflict through peaceful means and urged them to avoid further waves of violence. He also maintained that international standards on human rights should be followed by all countries including India. He said that youngsters throwing stones should not be met with ammunition. He also acknowledged that current uprising in Kashmir is indigenous.
Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre said that Norway follows the situation in Kashmir in particular through its embassies in New Dehli and Islamabad. We discuss the conflict in our discussion both with the governments and others stakeholders in the both countries. I have done myself during my visits, he maintains. He said that the Norwegian embassy in New Dehli has raised the issue of Kashmir with the Indian government at all levels. He reminded the house that Norwegian embassy participated in a joint Nordic delegation to Indian Held Jammu and Kashmir in April this year where they had taken up human rights and political situation with the representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir government and the police, he added.
Interestingly, Norwegian Foreign Minister made a historical mistake by saying that Pakistan has given off to China, Aksai Chin. In fact, it was snatched by the Chinese government form the Indian government in 1962's war and India has failed to take it back so far. Pakistan has nothing to do with this territory.
Knut Arild Hareide, chairman of parliamentary Kashmir Committee said that without a peaceful resolution of Kashmir stabilization of Afghanistan would be near to impossible. Without resolution of Kashmir there will be no peace between India and Pakistan who both possess atomic weaponry. He said that millions of people in Kashmir suffer due to this unsolved issue. Many have died. Lives are still lost. We have to show solidarity to the people of Kashmir. Moreover, the unsolved conflict acts as an obstacle to the efforts in curbing terrorism. He denounced violence, torture and terror acts that affecting innocent people in Kashmir.
Sardar Ali Shahnawaz Khan, Executive Director Kashmir Scandinavian Council, Oslo,
lauded the statement of Norwegian Foreign Minister and Chairman Kashmir Committee Mr. Knut Arild Hareide for debating Kashmir in the Norwegian parliament and condemning human rights situation publicly. He said being a peaceful and neutral country Norway should stand for the protection of human rights in Kashmir and can play instrumental role to solve this dispute by offering honest mediation role.
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