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J-K polls a chance to establish peace: US

"We see an opportunity in the elections. It can be part of the larger process to establish peace," Lisa Curtis, a senior Asian affairs advisor to the Bush administration, said after meeting All-Party Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Omer Farooq in Srinagar.

Curtis said she held discussions with several separatist leaders, including Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat and acting Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Javid Ahmad Mir, and impressed upon them to avail the opportunity for establishing peace in the state.

Asked if she had any special message from Washington, Curtis said, "We came with the message that the US does care about Kashmir and Kashmiris. The problems have to be resolved peacefully."

"We don't have a magical solution. We urged them to see an opportunity in these elections," she said.

Asked about the purpose behind meeting Hurriyat constituents separately, an aide to Curtis from the US embassy in New Delhi, Sheetal Patel, said it was a normal practice.

"We meet them individually to know their viewpoints."

The Mirwaiz told reporters after a 90-minute meeting with Curtis: "The US does have an interest as far as Kashmir is concerned. We have certain suggestions for [US] envoys which they said they will consider."

He said that the Centre would have to clarify the status of elected representatives and give an assurance that it would hold talks with them to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Whether Pakistan will be involved in the dialogue process has to be made clear," he said.

He said the Hurriyat wanted a political solution to the Kashmir issue and "we are ready for talks".

"We will meet tomorrow [Tuesday] to decide on Government of India's offer of talks," the Mirwaiz said.

On his talks with Kashmir Committee chairman Ram Jethmalani, he said, "As responsible citizens of India, they feel they have duty towards Kashmiri people."

"We will take ten steps if they take one," he added.

The Assembly Election in J&K: The Complete Coverage

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