VOA标准英语10月-India, Pakistan Open Trade Route in Kashmir

India and Pakistan have opened a trade route in the divided region of Kashmir for the first time in six decades. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, hopes are high that the latest confidence-building measure between the two countries will lower tensions in the region, which is claimed by both countries.
　

Kashmiri fruit dealer1 drive towards the Line of control, Kashmir's de facto border in Baramulla, about 55 kilometers (34 miles) north of Srinagar, India, 20 Oct 2008

There was a mood of celebration as trucks laden² with fruits and other goods crossed over from Indian and Pakistani Kashmir to the other side, signaling the start of trade in the region after six long decades.

In Indian Kashmir, banners saying "Long live trade across the two sides" fluttered on the trucks as villagers and traders cheered.

In Pakistani Kashmir, white doves of peace were released as the trucks began their journey.

The opening of trade across the tightly-guarded border that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan is the second major step taken by the two countries to allow contact in the disputed region since they launched a peace process, four years ago. A cross-border bus service was launched in 2005.

The trade begins four months after Indian Kashmir was wracked my massive anti-India protests. led by separatist groups. Their demands included the opening of a trade route to Pakistan.

A leader of the separatist alliance, the All Parties Huriyat Conference, Abdul Ghani Bhat, says allowing trade is a good step, but hopes it will lead to a political solution of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.

"First steps are first steps, but it is the last step which will determine whether the dispute on Kashmir has permanently³ been settled or not," said Bhat.

Trade will be restricted. Only four trucks from each side will be allowed to ferry a limited set of goods, once a week, between Srinagar on the Indian side and Muzaffarabad on the Pakistani side. A second trade route will be opened in the coming months, linking Poonch in India with Rawalkot in Pakistani Kashmir.

Pakistani Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Atique Ahmed Khan says volumes will be improved and trade will be expanded. He expresses hope increasing contact and communication between the two sides will ultimately help to resolve the Kashmir conflict, but cautioned against expecting quick results.

"All these things, slowly and gradually, they are contributive factors towards the ultimate resolution," said Atique (of the Kashmir dispute)."

The slow moving peace process between India and Pakistan has lowered tensions in the region, but the two countries are no closer to resolving their territorial⁴ dispute.

During the 1990's, a violent separatist insurgency⁵ wracked Indian Kashmir - which is the only Muslim majority region in predominantly Hindu India. India blames Pakistan-based Islamic groups for the violence and has moved slowly in opening up the tightly-guarded border.

　

1 dealer   

n.商人，贩子

参考例句：

• The dealer spent hours bargaining for the painting.那个商人为购买那幅画花了几个小时讨价还价。
• The dealer reduced the price for cash down.这家商店对付现金的人减价优惠。

2 laden   

adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的

参考例句：

• He is laden with heavy responsibility.他肩负重任。
• Dragging the fully laden boat across the sand dunes was no mean feat.将满载货物的船拖过沙丘是一件了不起的事。

3 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

4 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

5 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网