Jammu, Nov 12: Welcoming Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's peace initiatives, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani to hold the dialogue process has lent "political stature" to the talks. "Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, currently in India, has said Vajpayee is the only person who can bring peace between India and Pakistan and I also believe that Vajpayee can promote friendly relations between the two neighbours," he said. Talking to reporters after addressing a rally of his national conference here, Abdullah said "we have always said that New Delhi should hold talks with all, including the separatists. I want that India should hold talks with Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abbas Ansari, Yasin Malik and Shabir Shah so that we know what they want." He said negotiations between New Delhi and Islamabad should be held and talks between the Centre and Kashmiri groups should also continue. Earlier addressing the rally to protest against the "misgovernance" of the coalition government, Abdullah asked Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism and "seriously think of promoting friendship with our country." "If Pakistan talks about bombs and missiles, then it will lead to destruction in both sides in which everything will be destroyed," Abdullah, who is also the NC patron, said. "The one-year rule of the coalition government has been only of hollow promises.... While the administration is paralysed, police and transport departments are demoralised," he alleged.
Bureau Report