US TRAVEL ADVISORY ON KASHMIR TO CONTINUE FOR FURTHER 1 YEAR Srinagar, May 19: The US Department of State has extended by one year the adverse travel advisory on Kashmir citing “militant incidents” and “violent public unrest” in the disputed Himalayan region. As per its official website, the Department of State has strongly recommended the US citizens not to visit state of Jammu & Kashmir “because of the potential for terrorist incidents as well as violent public unrest.” “The US government also prohibits its employees from traveling to Jammu & Kashmir without permission, which is only granted by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi in exceptional circumstances,” a February 2014 warning in travel section of the Department’s website reads. According to the State Department, “a number of terrorist groups operate in the state, targeting government forces in the region particularly along the Line of Control (LoC) separating Indian and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.” “Primary tourist destinations in Kashmir – Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam are also volatile,” the advisory reads. “Since 1989, as many as 70,000 people including terrorists, government forces and civilians have been killed in the Kashmir conflict,” it reads, adding that foreigners are particularly “visible, vulnerable and at risk.” Pertinently, the State Department has been consistently terming Kashmir as an “area of instability.” The ‘informal ban’ for American citizens to travel to Kashmir has been there from 1995, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Talat Parvez, said. On July 4, 1995, six Western tourists were kidnapped by a militant outfit Al-Faran at tourist destination Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Islamabad (Anantnag) district. The kidnapped tourists included two British citizens, Keith Mangan and Paul Wells; two Americans, John Childs and Donald Hutchings; a German, Dirk Hasert; and a Norwegian, Hans Christian Ostrø. While one American citizen, John Childs, escaped, rest of the hostages were reportedly killed; one of them was beheaded. The hostage killings evoked deep-rooted fear in the international community and foreign tourists began fearing visiting Kashmir. “If America relaxes the advisory, other countries will follow the suit,” Parvez said. “But despite advisory, some Americans do visit Kashmir.” Parvez said America’s continued advisory has hit Kashmir tourism sector badly. “However, we are hopeful it will be lifted,” he said. “The advisory has a huge impact on state’s economy as high-spending American tourists desist from visiting Kashmir,” he explained. “We are pitching for its revocation and are in touch with Foreign Office and US Embassy. And once the US travel advisory is melted, other countries who have issued adverse travel advisories on Kashmir shall follow the suit.” Not only does the US government publicize travel advisories through its embassy, it has been warning its citizens to desist from travelling to Kashmir by daily press briefing in Washington, DC. According to transcripts of a 2013 daily press briefing, Jen Psaki, a spokesperson, says in reply to a question, “We are aware of these unconfirmed reports and are concerned about any violence along the Line of Control.” “The policy on Kashmir has not changed,” the spokespersons replies to a question which seeks to know the ground information on Kashmir. “We still believe that the pace, scope, and character of India and Pakistan’s dialogue on Kashmir is for those two countries to determine.” Trade bodies believe that the ‘informal ban’ has largely affected the Kashmir tourism industry and allied sectors. Muhammad Yaseen Khan, chairman Kashmir Economic Alliance, a leading traders’ body, said the US advisory had deep impact on tourism industry beyond repair. “It is unfortunate that the advisory is still in place,” he said. “We strongly believe if the advisory is lifted, it is going to give some boost to Kashmir tourism industry.” Sheikh Ashiq, President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said that revocation of the advisory would also give boost to associated segments of tourism sector. “Few years ago, European countries including Germany lifted travel advisory which saw a substantial number of tourists visiting the place,” he said. “It also sent a message throughout the world. Similarly, if America relaxes the advisory, it will definitely give an edge.” In 2011, Germany relaxed its travel advisory on Kashmir which banned its citizens from visiting the Himalayan region. An official at German Embassy in New Delhi had said in a statement, “The situation has now calmed down considerably and foreigners are generally not direct targets of clashes [in Kashmir].”
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 03:23:58 +0000
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