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Chairman's Letter,
       Jan. 2004




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Americans for Resolution of Kashmir

Chairman’s Message
January, 2004

Dear Friends: 

In response to recent developments with regard to the resolution of the conflict in Kashmir, I issued the following statement as part of a press release. Once finished, I realized that it reflects clearly and completely the position of ARK with respect to justice and peace in Kashmir, and accordingly, we are posting it here. 

“ARK remains firmly committed to its position regarding the ground realities and the political, social, and economic future of Kashmir. We reiterate without compromise the single inviolable premise upon which any solution must be based: the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir. And we reiterate with equal resolve our call to stop the killing in Kashmir. 

India and Pakistan are signatories to U.N. resolutions that establish the fundamental right of self-determination through a fair and impartial plebiscite. If the Kashmiri people verifiably agree to some different mechanism through which their right of self-determination can and will be exercised, ARK would stand firmly in support of such a process. 

What is paramount is that the people of Kashmir must be the ultimate determinants of their own destiny. For over half a century, they have suffered at the hands of those who failed to honor the various U.N. resolutions intended to bring and end to this tragedy. India has stationed a huge army of occupation in Kashmir, and brutal violations of human rights by this army continue to this day despite India’s protestations to the contrary. ARK reiterates its challenge to the government of India to allow internationally recognized human rights organizations unrestricted access to all areas within Kashmir. While the cease fire on the Line of Control is a step in the right direction, we are nevertheless unyielding in our continued call for an end to the killing, torture, and oppression of innocent Kashmiris that continue in those areas that are out of sight of the rest of the world. 

ARK favors neither Pakistan nor India with regard to an ultimate outcome in Kashmir. From its inception, ARK has stated that its sole and abiding interest is the exercise of the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir. We have consistently decried the commission of atrocities by the Indian army and paramilitaries, as injustice ultimately begets anger, and oppression breeds hatred. Neither injustice or oppression, nor their consequential emotions, are constructive to bringing peace to South Asia or freedom to Kashmir. We exhort the government of India to stop the killing in Kashmir, to establish meaningful dialogue with Pakistan, and then to commit to specific and meaningful actions, within a defined timeframe, to cease, without obfuscation or political chicanery, obstruction of  the Kashmiris’ right of self-determination.

Those who would be leaders in South Asia must reject the failed and dangerous politics of the past and act in a manner consistent with the highest ideals of freedom and justice. Any other course of action will only serve to underscore the decades of intellectual and political dishonesty that have long characterized the politics of this brutal conflict. Even as the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, we still await a demonstration of genuine commitment to the fundamental right of self-determination by those who continue to oppress the people of Kashmir

ARK wishes you and your loved ones a joyful New Year, as we continue our pursuit of justice and peace in Kashmir. We recommit ourselves to our organizational goal of educating the American people about Kashmir, and hope you will continue your generous support of our efforts.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Giuda
Founder and Chairman
Americans for Resolution of Kashmir
chairman@a-r-k.org

 
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