A little peace of Kashmir

There are eleven possible solutions to J&K, but which is the best?

Iftikhar Gilani Srinagar

Squabbles on terrorism and Baluchsitan apart, India and Pakistan have moved to find solutions to Jammu and Kashmir somewhat between the "status quo" and the "irrelevance" of the Line of Control (LoC). For the first time, India officially conveyed to Pakistan during the recently concluded secretary level talks that it was willing to discuss any solution provided it did not implore redrawing of borders and abrogation of its sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir.

"India has political limitations. We are not in a position to redraw boundaries. Short of that what is required to give comfort to people of Jammu and Kashmir in terms of free flow of people, goods and ideas we are ready to consider," stated Indian foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

For over the past 15 years, peaceniks and experts have been advocating various formulae and models to fit political parameters of both countries. Here is a summary of them.
 
1. Aland Island model
Politicians, academics and journalists around the world often study Aland as an example of a successful solution to a minority conflict. The division of power between Aland and Finland, the principle that any amendment to that division requires the consent of both parties, the right of domicile, the restrictions on land purchases and Aland's power to influence international treaties are some of the aspects of Aland's autonomy that have attracted the interest of outside observers. Aland is considered a unique case for several reasons: its autonomy has existed for a long time, the solution was arrived at without force of arms, and Aland is both self-governing and demilitarised.

2. South Tyrol model
Under the Paris Agreement of 1946 (also known as the Gruber-Degasperi Agreement) and the South Tyrol Package of 1969, Austria is mandated with exercising a protective function vis-à-vis Italy for the Austrian and Ladin minorities in South Tyrol. The goal is to secure the continued ethnic, cultural, social and economic existence of the German and Ladin-speaking population of South Tyrol. Besides, much importance is attached to the peaceful co-habitation of the different linguistic groups in the province of Bolzano.
 
3. Northern Ireland Peace Process
Northern Ireland's population is approximately 55 per cent Protestant and 45 per cent Catholic, and the two communities have placed their emphases on different elements of the problem. Protestants see the conflict in constitutional and security terms, and are primarily concerned about preserving the union with Britain and resisting the perceived threat of a united Ireland. Catholic views fall generally into two broad categories. Some perceive the issue as a nationalist struggle for self-determination, looking back to what they regard as the historical integrity of the island and the gerrymander of partition. Others approach it as a problem of corruption or unfair practices by successive Unionist governments between the
1920s and the 1970s which, if removed, would create a society in which both Catholics and Protestants could live peacefully together.