Separatist leaders propose Kashmiri presence in Indo-Pak talks

ISLAMABAD, Friday (AFP) - Muslim separatist leaders from Indian Kashmir proposed three-way talks on the decades old dispute over the Himalayan region after arriving here on an historic visit.

"We have proposed triangular talks between India, Pakistan and Kashmiris," moderate leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said after the Kashmiri leaders received a rousing welcome here.

"We know that bilateralism miserably failed in the past because Kashmiris were not involved in India and Pakistan talks," he told a joint press conference.

He added that the APHC - the main separatist umbrella group engaged in a 15-year campaign against Indian rule in Kashmir - "supports" the peace process.

"We have come on Pakistan government's invitation for talks with the Kashmiri leadership here. We hope our discussion would help in seeking a solution of the Kashmir issue, acceptable to all parties," he said.

Another visiting Kashmiri, Abdul Ghani Bhatt, told the press conference the two countries had realised the involvement of Kashmiris in the peace process was "vital."

The visit of the nine moderate leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, is the first such trip to the Pakistani zone since they launched their campaign against Indian rule in Kashmir in 1989.

The trip is part of a peace process between India and Pakistan to end the bitter dispute over divided Kashmir, the Himalayan region that has sparked two of three wars between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan.

The Kashmiri leaders received a hero's welcome when they crossed the heavily militarised ceasefire line at Chakothi, 58-kilometre (36-mile) south of the state capital Muzaffarabad.