I think the time is right for a permanent Kashmir solution: Italian Ambassador

Antonio Armellini, the Italian Ambassador to India, who's on a 5-day official visit to Kashmir to assess the situation in the backdrop of the recent developments that have generated some hope of a lasting settlement to what he described as the longest standing conflict since the end of the World War II. In an interview with Kashmir Observer, the ambassador says that there's a misperception that the west has launched a war on Islam and terms the theory of 'clash of civilizations' as an intelligent- intellectual construction, which does not automatically apply to the reality. The interview was conducted by M Farooq Shah.

● Is this your first visit to Kashmir? What's your first impression?

Yes, I've never been here before. My first impression is that of a beautiful city and what I've seen a beautiful land. It is a very very pleasant place indeed. I can now understand why so many people in India and elsewhere in the world see it as a prime tourist destination.

● The people of Kashmir who've suffered immensely during the past 15 years or so, obviously for no fault of theirs, have a grudge that the Western world has remained a mute spectator to their ordeal. What do you say to that?

I don't think that the Western world or the world in general has remained a mute spectator. The Western world, EU in particular, has always promoted the peace process in Kashmir. The settlement to the issue is something that pertains to the parties directly involved and we certainly don't wish to interfere in this process but we follow and pay attention and we encourage any positive steps such as the ones which have been taken recently.

● Not long ago, Kashmir was referred to as a nuclear flash point. Given the semblance of normalcy in Kashmir, the people are sceptical whether this could lead to a lasting peace. Are there any guarantees from the International community?

Again this is something for the people of Kashmir to act upon or decide upon and see to the ways that could turn into a permanent solution. What strikes me is that the situation in Kashmir's difficulty as a dispute is the longest standing disputes since the end of the IInd world war. Looking at the time frame, I think the time is more than right for positive developments and for a permanent solution.

● What role do you think the International Community, particularly the EU, play to dispel those fears?

Antonio Armellini: The International community should on the one hand not interfere in the process which has to be left with its direct actors because it's only them who'll be able to solve the problem and on the other should encourage any positive development and be ready to provide whatever assistance is required and may be necessary at the time. I believe this is the position which the Eropean Union has taken constantly. We've welcomed regularly all the positive steps that have been taken. We've always expressed our willingness to be of help whenever required or needed.

● Your itinerary includes a visit to UNMOGIP office here, which is headed by an Italian Major General. Given the present scenario, do you not think that this force has lost its relevance?

I think this is the matter for the Security Council to decide upon.

● There's a so-called theory, 'the clash of civilisations' being floated in the West, especially after 9/11 and a widespread belief in the Muslim world that West has launched some kind of a war on Islam. How do you react to that?

I think that's a basic misperception. I'm not aware of the fact that there's such a widespread belief in the Muslim world. What I'm aware of is the fact that there're some people in the West who feel that the Muslim world and Islam has launched a war on the West and this I think proves that both sides are wrong in their perceptions. Clash of civilisations is a very intelligent-intellectual construction, which does not automatically apply to the reality. It's a key to interpret phenomena. It's not an explanation of the phenomena itself.

● Again there're accusations that the West is deliberately indifferent to the issues pertaining to the Muslim world, which fans the extremist tendencies there and eventually deepens the East-West gulf. Are these accusations true in the first place?

I think not. Let me just give you a very small example as far as my country is concerned. Italy for a number of reasons is a predominantly catholic country but Islam has become the second largest religion and has been growing very fast. This has happened without any problem whatsoever. We believe that anyone's entitled to his beliefs and understandings and within the framework of the laws of the land in which he lives. I think that extremists on all sides can lead to warped interpretations. If you look at the western societies on the whole, you'll see that they're the most inclusive societies which civilisations have produced so far and that I think would tend to disprove the idea of automatic exclusions of anyone particular group. Extremists, terrorists— that's something else but that's not Islamic terrorism. It's an international phenomenon, which has all sorts of connotations.

● Besides the denial of political rights the lack of economic opportunities is believed to be a major cause of extremism and terrorism from which now no country is immune. What can your country do to help build the shattered economy of Kashmir that is being considered a breeding ground of extremism and terrorism?

We are certainly looking forward to the developing co-operation with India and all its components. On the Kashmiri side in particular, some work needs to be done to develop an economic community which can interact with foreign players as well. Lot of trade is going on already in handicrafts and a number of areas between Kashmiri traders and Italian traders, but I think we could do much more. I feel that perhaps a little more work should be done on this.

● How the Kashmir conflict is included in the EU agenda? Are you optimistic that a lasting solution to the problem can be worked out in some time to come?

We're all following very closely the recent developments and the peace process and composite dialogue has been moving ahead at a very swift pace and we very much hope that this will be a forebearer to permanent solution.

● The leverage of power in the World today rests with the United States, ever since USSR collapsed. Has the European Union consolidated itself as a counterpart to the US?

Antonio Armellini: The European Union was formed in 1952 way before the collapse of the Soviet Union and the purpose was entirely different; that of bringing together the countries of Europe that had fought with each other for over a thousand years and turn that age long conflict into a period of cooperation and friendship. That's what EU is all about.

H E Italian High Commissioner, Antonio Armellini visited Kashmir in 2005.