[sacw] Joint Press Statement by Pak India Forum

[aiindex@mnet.fr]

June 1, 1999
Posted below is an important press communique jointly issued by the Lahore
and Delhi secretariats of the Pakistan India Peoples forum for Peace &
Democracy
(South Asia Citizens Web)
====================================================
June 1, 1999
JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

The military flare-up in Kargil has worsened the continuing
tensions in Jammu and Kashmir. The claim that the possession of
nuclear weapons by India and Pakistan would create a situation of
deterrence and hence of peace has been falsified and the hopes
raised by the Lahore declaration have been belied. In the nuclear
environment in the region this development has escalated the danger
of war in the sub-continent.

The resort to aerial bombings so close to LOC has escalated the
military tensions between India and Pakistan. What is alarming is
that this bombing and armed operations are taking a toll of
innocent civilian lives. This flare-up coming so soon after the
Lahore Declaration exposes the fragility of the two Governments'
commitment to Peace. So long as the Kashmir question remains
unresolved such flare-ups are likely to recur and threaten to
escalate into full-fledged war including the danger of nuclear
holocaust.

The Forum demands immediate cessation of armed hostilities,
bombings and withdrawal of Indian and Pakistan troops and militants
and the demilitarisation of the LOC and creation of a demilitarised
zone along the LOC. Steps must be taken urgently to start
discussions on the outstanding issues with active participation of
people from both sides of the LOC.

Issued by "Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy"
>From LAHORE and DELHI

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