(Correcting publication date from 21 November to 20 November.)

Text of report by Indian news agency PTI

Srinagar [Indian-administered Kashmir], 20 November: Scheduled to visit China, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, leader of [his own faction of] the pro-independence secessionist group Hurriyat, Friday [20 November] stoked further controversy, saying Beijing has a "stake" in regional peace as certain parts of Kashmir are under its control.

"China is a global power and has huge influence in the region, and as such China also has a direct link with Kashmir because certain parts of Kashmir are in Chinese control, which have been given by Pakistan to them - Aksai Chin and those areas," he said.

"I believe that China is not a party to the conflict (over Kashmir) but China has a stake as far as peace in the region is concerned. So, the Hurriyat Conference welcomes the approach adopted by China and America jointly in terms of addressing the issue of Kashmir in South Asia," he said.

He was referring to the Sino-US joint statement issued on Tuesday after a meeting between US President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao. It had said the two countries "support the improvement and growth of relations between India and Pakistan, and are ready to strengthen communication, dialogue and cooperation on issues related to South Asia and work together to promote peace, stability and development in that region."

India has taken strong objection to the reference to Kashmir in it.

The Mirwaiz said he was visiting China at the invitation of an NGO which wanted him to speak from the Kashmiri point of view on the Kashmir issue and South Asia.

"I would go and present the Hurriyat point of view, which is basically that Hurriyat wants to address the Kashmir issue politically," he said.

"It (Kashmir) is a political problem, not a territorial problem, it is not a religious dispute, it is not a land dispute between India and Pakistan," the Mirwaiz said.

Meanwhile, the government of India has made it clear that it has no objection to the Mirwaiz travelling to China or anywhere else he wanted to.

Asking separatists to chalk out a joint strategy for a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue, he said: "The solution should be acceptable to India and Pakistan - the other two parties to the issue."

"We are attempting to achieve a consensus and cooperation not only within the Executive Council, General Council and Working Committee of the Hurriyat but also among the pro-freedom parties and individuals outside the amalgam so that a unanimous strategy is chalked out for the resolution of the Kashmir issue," the Mirwaiz said, addressing a Friday congregation at the Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar.

He said unanimity is required at this crucial juncture to seek the solution of the Kashmir issue in accordance to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

On the quiet dialogue with the government, the Mirwaiz said: "The time has gone for sell-outs. It is not possible for any individual or party to hand over Kashmir to either India or Pakistan without knowing the wishes and aspirations of the people."

Source: PTI news agency, New Delhi, in English 1533gmt 20 Nov 09

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