U.S. Administration Must Get Involved in Kashmir Dispute: Dan Burton.

Washington, D.C. March 4, 2010. A warm reception was given today to Congressman Dan Burton, Member of House Foreign Relations Committee by the members of the Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center, and the friends of Kashmir in Washington. Dr. Fai, while introducing the chief guest to the audience said that the Kashmir dispute will not, and cannot, be solved bilaterally by the two countries of India and Pakistan. The so-called "dialogue" now going on between them is a mere charade. This has been the case throughout the whole history of the dispute, he said. All that the spectacle of talks does at present is to strengthen India’s sense of impunity for remorseless killings in Kashmir. The need for an alternative to a self-perpetuating impasse would seem to be self-evident.

Dr. Fai said the element that has been missing in efforts towards a settlement is the political representation of the people of Kashmir. It also needs the persuasion of the United States with both India and Pakistan. If the U.S. does not deem it prudent to get directly involved, there is no reason why the Security Council of the United Nations or, with the Council’s support, the Secretary General should not be urged to play a real facilitating role.

Congressman Dan Burton said, Kashmir’s political status has been disputed almost since the subcontinent was partitioned in 1947. Although the 1949 U.N. cease-fire agreement declared that the state’s future would be determined by its citizens through a free and impartial plebiscite, no plebiscite has ever been held.” Congressman urged the U.S. Administration to become involved in the Kashmir dispute so as the resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the people of the state.

Congressman Burton said that 700,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces are still up there and keeping everything under wraps. They are patrolling the streets and there are still some horrible tragedies that are taking place -- I heard of the discovery of more than 4,000 mass graves in Kashmir, and until just the last few months, we haven't heard of these new things that have been going on.

He pledged that he would once again go to the floor of the Congress and make sure the entire world and the Congressional Record has all these tragedies accounted for, so that the American people and the people across the world will have more information about the horrible things that the people of Kashmir are having to go through.

Burton promised that you may rest assured, I'll make these details public so that the world know what's going on over there. And, we will continue to fight. I will continue to fight.

Attorney Mumtaz Wani insisted that the leadership of the people of Kashmir must be included in talks along with India and Pakistan. He reminded the Obama Administration to appoint a special envoy on Kashmir.