Støre's answer on the issue of Kashmir

Question No. 630 (2006-2007), dated 20.02.2007. [Stortinget, the Norwegian Parliament] 

From Jørund Rytman (Progress Party) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answered:  27.02. 2007 by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour Party).

[Translation from Norwegian].

Question:
I refer to the debate in the Storting on Thursday 15 February, during which I took up the issue of Kashmir. As I received no answer from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I am repeating my question. What have Norway and the Minister of Foreign Affairs done for Kashmir during the last few years, what concrete steps will the Minister of Foreign Affairs take to put Kashmir on the international agenda and to exercise pressure on the countries to find a solution, and how will the Minister of Foreign Affairs pursue this in his foreign policy efforts in future?

Reasons:
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is no doubt familiar with the background to the Kashmir conflict. The issue has not exactly become less important following the recent terror attack on a train in India, where most of the victims were Pakistanis on their way to Pakistan. Although it is unclear what the cause of the terrorist attack was, it is clear that the attention of the international community should be focused on this area. It is therefore even more important that countries like Norway help to put this issue on the agenda.

Answer:
Kashmir is a strongly militarised conflict area. In addition to many internal tensions, it has been an object of conflict between India and Pakistan for over 50 years, and has been the cause of two wars. The situation is particularly serious given that the conflict involves two nuclear powers, and that the situation in Kashmir is also affected by tensions along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The two countries have been engaged in a broad-based bilateral dialogue since January 2004. Despite a temporary halt following the terrorist attack on trains in Mumbai in July 2006, the dialogue has shown small but clear signs of progress. These include greater opportunities for civilians to cross the border, and the implementation of confidence-building initiatives by the authorities. I believe that there is a lot to gain from a reduction in random violence and the cessation of terrorist attacks.
 
I had a good opportunity to discuss developments with the authorities of both countries during my visit to India and Pakistan in December 2006. The leaders of both countries now consider the peace process to be irreversible. This is very welcome. They have clearly demonstrated their intention to continue the process following the recent tragic bombing of a train travelling from India to Pakistan. Some days after the attack, they entered into an agreement intended to reduce the danger of a nuclear conflict.

India and Pakistan agree that the peace process should be bilateral. We respect and support that decision. At the same time, it is important that Norway and the international community do what they can to encourage the parties and support the process. We do not think that Norway has any individual role to play at the present time.

Norway support several international organisations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Crisis Group, that are following events in Kashmir closely and reporting on, for example, human rights violations. We always regret and deplore assaults on the civilian population.

We are also supporting the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), which promotes the open flow of information, including on difficult issues, and works to build greater mutual trust between India and Pakistan. We have seen that these efforts are producing good results.

In recent months, representatives of various groups in Kashmir have to a greater extent than before been drawn into dialogue with the authorities in both countries. This is a positive development, as it helps to generate greater popular support for the peace process, and thereby gives the process increased legitimacy. We therefore want to encourage the continuation of this development.
 
The UN has had a small observer force (the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan – UNMOGIP) posted on both sides of the line of control between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir since 1949. Norway last participated in the observer force in 1993.