US envoy meets Omar Abdullah — and Kashmiris (Lead, Superseding earlier story)

March 17th, 2011 - 9:39 pm ICT by IANS  

Jammu/Srinagar, March 17 (IANS) US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer Thursday met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and a cross section of Kashmiris for what he described as routine interactions.

After a meeting in Jammu with the chief minister which Abdullah described as “interesting”, the ambassador left for Srinagar, the political hub of a dragging Muslim separatist campaign.

Roemer, who arrived in Jammu on a two-day visit to the state, reportedly discussed a variety of issues with the chief minister. While details were not known, Abdullah tweeted: “Had an interesting meeting with (Roemer).”

This is the American ambassador’s second visit to Jammu and Kashmir within six months. In September, he visited Leh.

In Srinagar, the ambassador visited the historic Hazratbal Mosque. Officials of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority briefed him on their efforts to revive the environment quality of Dal Lake.

On Saturday, he will interact with students at a Srinagar school.

A US embassy statement said the ambassador wanted to “engage and listen to the people and connect with the youth of the state”.

“I want to engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir just as I do with people everywhere else in India,” he said.

“The youth are the leaders of tomorrow who will shape the destiny of the state. I want to talk to them about their hopes and their aspirations for themselves and their community.

“I talk to people from all backgrounds and ethnic groups, to better understand the environment I work in and to better perform my job,” he added.

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