January 31, 2004

The Association of Humanitarian Lawyers (AHL) and the
Kashmiri American Council (KAC) invite you to
participate in an event, “Peace Moves in South Asia:
Different Perspectives” to be held on Tuesday,
February 10, 2004 between 1.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. during
the current session of the United Nations Commission
on Social Development in New York.  The program will
be held at United Methodist Office for the United
Nations, 777 UN Plaza [Ist Ave & 44th Street] at Boss
Room on 8th floor.  Lunch will be served to all
participants provided they register early.

Following speakers are confirmed:

1. Amb. Teretsita Schaffer, Director, South Asia
Program, Center for Strategic & International Studies
(CSIS), Washington, D.C.

2. Ms. Karen Parker, J.D. UN Delegate, International
Educational Development

3. Professor Maya Chadda, Professor of Political
Science, William Peterson University, New Jersey,
(Indian-American)

4. Professor Saeed Shafqat, Qaid-e-Azam Distinguished
Professor at Columbia University, (Pakistani-American)

5. Mr. M. Yusuf Buch, former senior advisor to the UN
Secretary General (Kashmiri-American)

6. UN Official (TBA)

The speakers will not necessarily represent any
government’s point of view.  Instead, they will speak
from an academic and scholarly perspective.  In having
these distinguished speakers share a podium, we seek
to begin a dialogue that can lead the 1.2 billion
people of South Asia out of their current nightmare
and into a peaceful existence.

The theme demands fresh variations and stimulating
presentation sensitive to current modes of thought at
a sophisticated level.  We believe that international
relations must be so structured that confrontation is
replaced by cooperation; and conflicts resolved
through peaceful means and negotiations. 

We welcome the Islamabad Agreement between Prime
Minister Vajpayee and President Musharraf wherein
Kashmir issue has been placed on the negotiating
agenda, with no preconditions over the question of
self-determination.  In furtherance of this mutual
objective, the statement elaborated: “To carry the
process of normalization forward the President of
Pakistan and the Prime Minister of India agreed to
commence the process of the composite dialogue in
February 2004.  The two leaders are confidant that the
resumption of the composite dialogue will lead to
peaceful settlement of all bilateral issues, including
Jammu and Kashmir, to the satisfaction of both sides.”
 Prime Minister Vajpayee has said that talks over
Kashmir could be held within the parameters of
Insaniat (humanity).  KAC echoes those feelings.  KAC
reaffirms that to hold meaningful dialogue requires
the only pre-condition, i.e. that there should be
none. 

We also welcome the discussion between Kashmiri
leadership and Prime Minister Vajpayee and Deputy
Prime Minister Advani. 

We always want the people of India and Pakistan to
live in peace and prosperity.  That is why we believe
that the Kashmir conflict has to be resolved through
peaceful negotiations and not through military means.
Moreover, durable peace and development of harmonious
relations and friendly cooperation will serve the
vital interests of the peoples of these two countries
and enabling them to devote their energies toward
building a better future for over a billion people –
home to one-fifth of total human race.

In politics as well as private life, moderation
flourishes and endures, whereas extremism withers and
dies. Thus, President Musharraf spoke optimistically
when he declared to a packed news conference on
January 6: “Victory is to the moderates in India and
moderates in Pakistan.”

We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest
convenience.  

[Admission to the event is free but registration is
required.]

With profound regards.

Yours Sincerely,



1.  Karen Parker, J.D.
President
The Association of Humanitarian Lawyers

REGISTRATION (Let them know that you are replying from the mesg posted on AOPP's website)

Please RSVP by e-mailing: gnfai2003@yahoo.com

(Registration for the event and lunch is free but
registration is required)

Please indicate the following:

Your name

Name of organization:

Address:

Telephone and fax number:

Yes, I would also like to register for lunch ------

If you have any questions or concerns you may reach us
at: gnfai2003@yahoo.com

Or Call: Andrea @ 202-628-6789  /  or send us fax at
202-393-0062