.... To regard Kashmir question as a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan that can be resolved by some compromise between them is to misunderstand it altogether ... We believe that Kashmir dispute will not, and cannot, be solved bilaterally by the two countries. They have lost faith in each other. The time has come for a third party intervention. Secondly, India and Pakistan cannot by themselves reach a settlement over Kashmir without associating the genuine Kashmiri leadership with the negotiations ...

Thus, the first step in searching for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir conflict is to bring representative Kashmiris into the negotiating process as an equal partner with India and Pakistan. At present, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) fairly reflects the voices of

the broader spectrum of the Kashmiri people. The APHC categorically rejects terrorism and other violence as a legitimate method of securing political change.

 The APHC is not wedded to any particular political dispensation. It keeps an open mind on any proposals that might be workable and will not prejudice the self determination of the people and at the same time assure a durable peace. Any Kashmir agreement concluded by the negotiators, however, would require approval by the majority of the Kashmiri people in a free and fair election ...

Now is an opportune moment for the United States and the other permanent members of the UN Security Council to defuse the present situation ... assume the position as the leaders of the world and take an active role in finding a lasting settlement on Kashmir ... based on justice to the people of Kashmir and recognition of their inherent rights ...