Kashmir buses make historic trip

[allemand]

Passengers on the first cross-Kashmir bus service in nearly 60 years have crossed the Line of Control that divides the region.

Some passengers on the buses between Srinagar in Indian-controlled Kashmir and Muzaffarabad in the Pakistan sector cried with joy as they crossed.

Indian PM Manmohan Singh called the new service "a caravan of peace".

The bus from Srinagar earlier survived a grenade attack at Pattan, about 27km (16 miles) from the city.

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4419109.stm

Reporters' log: Kashmir bus
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4416625.stm



Attacks Fail to Stop India-Pakistan Bus Service
By REUTERS

Published: April 7, 2005
Filed at 6:38 a.m. ET

PEACE BRIDGE, India-Pakistan border (Reuters) - Some crying with joy, 31 Pakistani Kashmiris crossed the ``Peace Bridge'' into Indian Kashmir on Thursday, marking the first bus service linking the divided Himalayan region since it was split by war almost 60 years ago.

``I can't control my emotion. I am setting foot in my motherland,'' said a tearful Shahid Bahar, a lawyer from the capital of Pakistan Kashmir, Muzaffarabad.

``I am coming here for the first time to meet my blood relations,'' said Bahar, whose father crossed over in 1949. ``It was my dream. It is unbelievable. Everyone is here.''

Attacks by Islamic separatists -- who have threatened to turn the buses into rolling coffins -- scared off some passengers but failed to derail one of the most significant and emotive steps in South Asia's unsteady peace process.

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/international/international-southasia.html?hp

[varun]

1. Its a good start...

...but I would not get too optimistic.

In 1999, a similar bus service started between Lahore and Delhi, soon to be followed by an attack on Indian Kashmir by Pakistani army and terrorists.

[allemand]

2. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seems to be quite optimistic

"This is the first step on a long route (of peace). There are more challenges in the road ahead.
"But I am sure that the way the governments of the two countries respected the aspirations of the people, we will easily find solutions to problems in an environment of friendship and trust."
He assured that India was willing to hold the hand of Pakistan to usher in peace, harmony, prosperity.
"This is a great example of India and Pakistan working together. It shows how much governments on both sides respect the emotions and sentiments of the people.
"What can we not achieve if we work together?"

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1071443,curpg-3.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo.cms?msid=1071453

It all depends, of course, on the survival of Musharraf and later a successful transition to democracy in Pakistan.

[Bhaisahab]

3. good

tv in india is showing pakistani passengers greeted with gifts and sweets at the border by the indian army. that's good.