Srinagar, Aug 19 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said he will discuss the situation in the region with visiting US Ambassador Sergio Gor, but ruled out raising internal issues with Washington’s representative, saying only the central government can resolve those issues.
“It is after a very long time that a US ambassador is visiting Jammu and Kashmir. For me personally, it has been a long time since I met any American ambassador. Let him come; we will sit and talk,” Abdullah told reporters here.
The chief minister, however, said he would prefer to listen more to the ambassador even as “he (Gor) is also coming to listen”.
“Let’s see what kind of conversation takes place when he comes to meet this afternoon,” he added.
Abdullah said the issues facing J-K have no direct bearing with the US, as the resolution to the issues of the Union Territory will not come from Washington but from the central government.
“It has never been my habit to lodge complaints about my country to an ambassador of another country. The resolution to our issues will not come from Washington; the resolution to our problems lies with our central government.
“So, I believe it would be very inappropriate to complain about our country to an ambassador of another country. That is not my habit,” he added.
The CM said he would certainly discuss Jammu and Kashmir and “our current situation, but I will neither complain nor seek solutions to our grievances from them”.
Abdullah has been demanding that the Centre fulfil its promise to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.NATIONALSRINAGAR
