Pakistan Government
Transcript of the Press Conference
Addressed by the Foreign Office Spokesman 31 October 2001
Opening Comments
There were no statements.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed
during the question-answer session:
* When his attention was drawn to the
President’s interview with Reuter Television which conveyed the impression
that the government was contemplating a change in its earlier stance
of asking the US government to suspend its military operation in Afghanistan
during the Ramadan, the Spokesman replied:
Pakistan’s position has been that the
military strikes in Afghanistan should be short and targeted. They should
be over as soon as possible. Obviously, the purpose of these strikes
is to achieve certain objectives. At the same time, it was our hope
and its remains our hope, that these strikes would be over soon and
there would be minimal collateral damage and civilian casualties. The
President has reiterated that position. At the same time, the situation
as it is, obviously the target has to be achieved.
DG ISPR added: I was present at that
interview. Actually, there was a different way the question was phrased.
It was that "would you pressurize the American government to halt
operations during Ramadan" and the President said that "I
have voiced my concern, we have voiced our concerns not only to Secretary
of State of the US who visited Pakistan, but also to the US government
and to this word of "pressurizing the US government or the US forces",
he said, "no I will not pressurize".
* To a question with regard to an AP
wire news which has quoted Indian General saying that a 65-war-like
situation has developed in Kashmir and that it was the best opportunity
for India to cross the border and settle this issue once for all, the
DG ISPR said:
There seem to be a disparity and a disconnect
between the Indian government and the Indian army. The Defence Minister
very recently said that the Indian government was not thinking of going
across the Line of Control and today as you said that an Indian General
has said something totally opposite. Let me also add here that the past
incident of where artillery and mortar fire during the Secretary of
State Colin Powell’s visit to Pakistan which was unprovoked totally
that the Indian Army started on the LoC. There were indications given
at various levels by the Indian government that its local commanders
had opened up fire without permission from the Indian government. So
I think one need not really comment on what various Generals of the
Indian army keep saying. It is just enough to know that there seems
to be a disconnect. From the point of view of Pakistan, we have tried
in the past unilaterally also to defuse the situation and to prevent
friction and tension between the two countries. There have been in the
past unilateral withdrawal of forces by Pakistan from Kashmir from the
Line of Control. So, as far as Pakistan is concerned we want this core
issue of Kashmir to be resolved via dialogue by peaceful means. If the
Indians want to escalate or create additional tension, Pakistan which
still continues to exercise maximum restraint, will only take bare minimum
defensive measures.
* When his attention was drawn to the
Indian Prime Minister’s statement in Gujarat wherein he has said that
there will be no further division of India and referred to Kashmir as
part of India, the Spokesman said:
As you are well aware that the entire
world and the United Nations Security Council recognize Kashmir as a
disputed territory. It is not a part of India. The fate of which has
to be decided through a plebiscite under the UN resolutions. So the
question of division of India doesn’t arise. It is a question of a decision
of accession of a territory where people have not been given the right
of self-determination, as was promised to them under the UN resolutions.
We can go back in the history we can talk about what the nature of instruments
of accession was, the unfortunate history of that territory, the atrocities
that have been committed on the Kashmiri people by the Indian forces
and the denial of the right of self-determination. Enough documents
and literature is available on that. The Indian leaders had given the
commitment that the future of Kashmir will be decided by allowing the
people of Kashmir to exercise their fundamental inherent right to self-determination.
* To a related question, the Spokesman
said:
I have said just now that Kashmir is
not a part of India. It is a disputed territory whose fate has yet to
be decided under the UN resolutions. So it is not a question of any
division of India.
* When he was asked to spell out intended
ramifications for Pakistan in case the Northern Alliance, with the help
of the US, takes over Kabul, the Spokesman said:
We have stated that keeping in view
the past record, it would not be advisable for any single faction or
group to take over control of Kabul. The future dispensation of Afghanistan
should be freely chosen by the people of Afghanistan and they should
decide what arrangements for the administration in Kabul have to be
put on the ground.
* When asked to elaborate the agenda
items pertaining to the forthcoming visit of the President to the United
States, the Spokesman stated:
The President’s programme is being worked
out. He is going for the UN General Assembly Session as well as meeting
with President Bush and other leaders who would be attending the Session.
Details of the programme are being worked out. As soon as the details
are worked out we will make an announcement about it.
* When he was asked to give comment
on the latest situation in Chillas, the DG ISPR stated:
I spoke about this yesterday and we
expected that either by late evening yesterday or by today the talks
which were going on with the authorities we would resolve the issue
and that has been resolved. The KKH is operational and there are no
blockades. There is no problem any more.
* When asked to give his views on the
President’s latest interaction with the politicians and whether there
was any hidden agenda behind these meeting, the DG ISPR stated:
I have repeatedly answered this question
individually and yesterday in the press briefing here. Let me clear
it once and for all. I, and the President have repeatedly clarified
this position. There is nothing happening behind any curtains. The President
as in the past has been interacting with representative of all segments
of society, including political parties where there is exchange of views
and where the situation that exits today and what has happened over
the past few months, is what is discussed. People are up-dated and an
exchange of views takes place. There is no change in the offing as far
as the Cabinets are concerned, if that is what you are hinting at. There
is no change or no plan to include any representatives of political
parties in any sort of interim government, if that is what you are trying
to ask. Therefore, as already given out by the President the road map
will be implemented and election to the provincial and federal assemblies
will be held by October 2002. I hope it puts at rest all these doubts.
* Asked whether or not the government
had brought up the issue of Indian presence in Northern Afghanistan
with Mr. Brahimi or with the United States, the Spokesman observed:
I think I spoke at length yesterday
about Mr. Brahimi’s visit. He is visiting here as a part of his consultations
for finding a viable peace process for establishing a stable government
in Afghanistan. The discussions have figured around that aspect of the
situation as it is prevailing. Mr. Brahimi is here on a visit as UN
Secretary General’s representative on Afghanistan. So the various aspect
of the peace process in Afghanistan as well as a strategy for rehabilitation
and reconstruction in Afghanistan post-military operation’s phase have
been discussed with him.
The DG ISPR added: We have heard of
reports of Indian officers’ presence with the Northern Alliance. I have
no confirmation but I am sure everyone is aware of who all are present
with the Northern Alliance.
* To a related question that India was
supplying arms and ammunition to the Northern Alliance, the DG ISPR
observed:
That is nothing new.
* When asked to brief about the government’s
plans to deal with the processionists, especially when they are planning
to go on a wheel jam strike on 9th of next month, the DG ISPR said:
What I can do is to read out to you
a press release that we were about to issue regarding the law and order
conference that was held today and there will obviously be a release
given after the Cabinet meeting is over, which is normal thing that
we do. May be that will explain some of the things you are asking:
"A meeting chaired by the President
was held in Islamabad today (October 31, 2001) which reviewed the law
and order situation in the country. The participants of the meeting,
including the four provincial governors, Federal Minister for Interior
and other Senior Officials concerned with law and order.
The Minister of Interior Lt.Gen.(Retd)
Moin Haider briefed the participants about the overall law and order
situation in the country. The Minister for Interior and Governor Punjab
also briefed the President about the progress of investigations regarding
the recent act of terrorism in Bahawalpur.
The participants deliberated upon the
various measures being taken to ensure security of life and property
of the peace loving people.
It was categorically asserted by the
President that on no account the writ of the government would be allowed
to be violated by any individual or group or civic life in the country
disrupted on any pretext.
Strong notice was taken of malicious
and seditious statements coming from certain quarters and it was decided
that the government would proceed against such elements in accordance
with law."
* Asked if there was any plan to ban
the religious parties which were protesting the government’s decision
to support the US in Afghanistan, the DG ISPR stated:
I am not aware of that.
* When he was asked to comment on the
circumstances under which 196 Indian fishermen along with their boats
were released, the Spokesman said:
This problem of fishermen coming into
Pakistani waters has been going on over the years and normally once
these people are apprehended and their antecedents and everything ascertained,
there is always an exchange or release of these fishermen. This is the
same thing that has happened this time. We have an arrangement with
India about the fishermen issue.
* When his attention was drawn to the
news item that Pakistan during discussion with UNHCR Chief has agreed
to accept 80,000 and in another report 300,000 Afghan refugees and a
procedure in this regard has been finalized and moreover, if the new
format of briefing was related to the internal situation, the Spokesman
stated:
Neither figure is correct. We haven’t
had any agreement. The position remains the same. The borders are closed
for new refugees. Certain cases of a very high humanitarian nature like
sick people and old people are being allowed but other than that position
remains the same. We do not have the capacity to absorb anymore new
refugees and these should be settled inside Afghanistan. We understand
that UNHCR is making preparations as a case of emergency should something
happen that the flood of refugees cannot be stopped that some arrangements
are in hand already, but the government policy remains the same. What
the UNHCR is doing is within their competence. But as far as the government
is concerned the borders are closed for the new refugees.
The briefing format has been expanded
so that some of the questions, particularly of a military nature, can
be accommodated.
* When his attention was drawn to an
AFP report regarding the United States plans to launch ground troops
in Afghanistan and also if he knew the number of terrorists and civilian
casualties, the DG ISPR observed:
I think both questions should have been
directed towards the US. I have also heard or seen on television, beyond
that I am not aware of what the plans are. Also, I am not aware of how
many terrorists or civilians have been killed in Afghanistan.
* When his opinion was sought on the
possibility of a take over of Kabul by the Northern Alliance and its
resultant consequences for the idea of a broad-based government in Afghanistan,
the Spokesman replied:
The possibility of the take over of
Kabul by a particularly group or entity cannot be ruled out but as far
as our position is concerned, we have stated it clearly that it is better
that a political dispensation is in place through the UN efforts so
that the situation that existed in the past that we have seen after
the Soviet withdrawal, does not arise in Afghanistan, that such a situation
should be avoided.
Source: www.forisb.org/FOS01-55.htm
"One
has to achieve the objective of the military operation… I only hope
that this (military objective) is achieved before Ramazan. There is
a possibility… But if that does not happen, I would discuss the matter
with him (US president) but I wouldn't be pressing him as such… Afghanistan
has suffered, the people are suffering so much that I am reasonably
sure there are many people who even question the wisdom of their suffering
for the sake of somebody who is there and not an Afghan, like Osama
bin Laden and his people… There are some people who would be thinking
on these lines and those are the people who may be waiting to change
sides."
-- President Pervez Musharraf, Quoted in Reuters Television,
October 30
Transcript of the
Press Conference Addressed by the Foreign Office Spokesman 30 October
2001
Announcement
Mr. Riaz Muhammad Khan has got busy
with some other tasks and from now on General Rashid Qureshi and I,
would be briefing the press every day. To begin with I have a brief
statement that the UN Secretary General Special Representative on Afghanistan
Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, called on the President of Pakistan today. The
situation in Afghanistan as well as the role of the UN in the Afghan
peace process and the reconstruction of Afghanistan was discussed. The
President stressed the importance of the political process to be set
in motion side by side with the military operations to be followed by
reconstruction and rehabilitation process in Afghanistan. The President
emphasized that the unity, territorial integrity, stability and peace
in Afghanistan must be ensured. The political dispensation in Afghanistan
should be broad-based and must take into account the multi-ethnic, demographic
composition of Afghanistan. The political dispensation should be arrived
at through an indigenous process and should not be imposed from outside.
The President also emphasized the need to plan a major rehabilitation
efforts for Afghanistan as fast as possible to bring normalcy in the
country. He said that the rehabilitation efforts should focus on water
management and land development, so that agriculture base of the country
could be developed and help the Afghan refugees return to their home-land.
Similarly, efforts must also be concentrated on the rehabilitation of
infrastructure and initiation of construction works. The humanitarian
efforts through UNHCR inside Afghanistan need to be further reinforced.
Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi expressed his appreciation for Pakistan support
to the UN peace process. He agreed that there was need to accelerate
the political process as well as the preparation for a comprehensive
programme for reconstruction of Afghanistan for which the important
donor countries have already made commitments.
The UNHCR Mr. Rudd Lubbers also called
on the President. He held a meeting with the Foreign Minister as well.
During these meetings in-depth exchange of views on how to ensure adequate
humanitarian assistance for the displaced Afghans, including ways and
means of providing assistance to the Afghan people inside Afghanistan
were discussed. It was necessary to provide immediate assistance inside
Afghanistan, to avert a human catastrophe there. The emphasis was on
providing assistance inside Afghanistan and establishment of camps inside
Afghanistan where it will be easier to establish those camps and the
help can also be more easily provided.
Now we will take the questions.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed
during the question-answer session:
* When asked to comment on "New
Yorker Magazine’s" report which has mentioned a "covert American-Israeli
plan to take out Pakistan’s nuclear arms" and a press report regarding
the handing over of three nuclear scientists to FBI/CIA, the Spokesman
said:
I will just respond to this question
by saying that as far as the report in the "New Yorker Magazine"
is concerned the State Department’s Spokesman has already denied that
report. The report about the handing over of nuclear scientists is totally
baseless.
The DG ISPR added that there is no question
of any one attempting or even coming anywhere closer to these. Anyone
who makes a statement like that perhaps has very little idea as to the
safeguards put in place for the nuclear assets.
* When asked to comment on the Indian
Prime Minister’s recent statement wherein he has declined to talk to
the President during his forthcoming visit to New York, the Spokesman
stated:
You know, Pakistan’s position in this
regard is very well known. We have expressed our desire to resolve all
outstanding issues with India, including the core issue of Jammu and
Kashmir through peaceful negotiations. For this purpose we have also
invited India for a meeting anytime, anyplace, anywhere, at any level.
Besides that an invitation to Prime Minister Vajpayee to visit Pakistan
as well as to meet in New York has been extended. We would very much
like that all issues between India and Pakistan, are resolved through
negotiations and for this purpose meetings at various levels would be
necessary.
* When the Spokesman was asked to clarify
the situation regarding the detention of Mr.Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood
and Mr. Abdul Majeed, two former nuclear scientists of Pakistan, the
DG ISPR said:
As I said earlier Sultan Bashiruddin
is a retired government servant who retired in 1998 and was involved
in running an NGO and in the process of running that NGO he had gone
to Afghanistan on a number of times. There were certain questions that
needed to be asked and those have been asked. The report about his handing
over to CIA/FBI or any other agency is absolutely incorrect and false.
Presently, he is not under arrest at all and has been hospitalized.
* When asked to give more information
about Commander-in-Chief CENTCOM’s meeting with the President, the DG
ISPR stated:
Relevant information in this regard
has already been made public. I don’t think we can go into further details.
* When the Spokesman was asked whether
the government was thinking in terms of changing its policies vis-à-vis
the demonstrators and the Jehadis who are trying to enter into Afghanistan,
the DG ISPR commented:
There is no thought on changing the
way the government is working. Yes, there were certain areas that were
discussed and certain proposals we need to implement for reasons of
internal security and safety of citizens. As you know, there has been
an incident, a terrorist incident I would like to call it, and very
serious note has been taken of that whether this incident at Bahawalrpur
has been precipitated by forces from across the border or from within
Pakistan, these people will be traced and brought to justice.
* When he was asked to give his views
regarding the timeframe for the establishment of a broad-based, multi-ethnic
government in Afghanistan, the Spokesman said:
The situation is evolving and no timeframe
can be given. You would agree that there is need for a political process
through which a broad-based, multi-ethnic and representative government
could be established in Afghanistan. This had been our position even
when the civil war was going on. Pakistan and the international community
have identical position on this issue that there was need to have a
stable, multi-ethnic, broad-based and a representative government in
Afghanistan, acceptable to all Afghans. So long as such an entity is
not there durable peace would not be possible inside Afghanistan. So,
efforts in this regard should continue and they are continuing.
* On a question if the government was
contemplating a change in its Afghan policy as the word ‘moderate Taleban’
is being avoided by the senior government officials and his own assessment
pertaining to the ground situation which was evolving in Afghanistan,
the Spokesman stated:
First of all the political process in
Afghanistan concerning which you have commented whether there has been
any mention of moderate Taleban, I think as far as my statement today
is concerned there was no mention of any specific group but what one
was talking about was that there was need to have a political process
through which a broad-based, multi-ethnic government representative
of all Afghans can be put in place in Afghanistan. So to mention or
not to mention a specific group or entity is in my view a leading question
and nothing more. As far as the internal situation is concerned we really
do not have any means to know about the situation inside Afghanistan.
So far as we are concerned we would like the military campaign to be
short and targeted to avoid civilian casualties and that a political
process which can put in place a government acceptable to all Afghans
so that durable peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan can start.
* Asked to comment whether there was
pressure on the government to open its border to all refugees including
those males who might have been forcibly recruited by the Taleban and
the Northern Alliance and also during the meeting with Mr. Brahimi if
there was any agreement or any progress in terms of ending the bombardment
before Ramadan, the Spokesman stated:
Well, your last question first, Mr.
Brahimi is visiting the region in connection with the peace process.
All subjects were discussed and apart from what has already been said
I cannot add anything more. As far as the borders are concerned, I think
we have repeatedly spoken about it that Pakistan has been most generous
as far as the refugees are concerned. I think there is no other example
anywhere of a country hosting so many refugees for such a long time,
despite the fact that until recently there was very little assistance
for these refugees which from all sources amounted to $13/- per refugee,
per year. You know the real situation in Afghanistan. Because of the
civil war and drought the current situation is precarious and there
are approximately five to six million Afghans according to the UN estimates
who require humanitarian assistance immediately. Now such a large number
cannot go across to another country seeking asylum or refuge. The more
prudent and economic policy would be to provide assistance to these
people inside Afghanistan. Also camps can be established inside Afghanistan
away from the cities which are vulnerable to bombing.
* When his comments were sought that
whether the government’s Afghan policy was riddled with contradiction
and how long it would take the government to go for rehabilitation and
reconstruction in Afghanistan, the Spokesman said:
Afghanistan has suffered devastation
over the last 20 years during the time of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
and during consequent civil war. A lot of areas were mined and I think
Afghanistan is considered as one of the most heavily mined territories
in the world. Agriculture has been disrupted, roads and bridges have
been destroyed completely. It already happened during the Jehad against
the Soviets as well as the subsequent years when there was infighting
between the various factions. The reconstruction effort is massive and
without that the Afghan refugees cannot return to their homes because
there is nothing to return to. The need for reconstruction efforts is
paramount. Without economic development it would not be possible to
sustain even a credible political process. So as far as emphasizing
the importance of rehabilitation and reconstruction it cannot be denied.
It is in view of that also that the government’s position has been that
the present military action should be short and targeted.
The DG ISPR added that it is unfair
to say that Pakistan is assisting in the destruction of Afghanistan
that is not what Pakistan is doing. Pakistan is supporting and cooperating
with the world community in the fight against terrorism. However, I
do agree that there is collateral damage in the process and there have
been civilian casualties. Pakistan remains committed to the welfare
of Afghanistan and the Afghan people. To say that the operation is against
the country, Muslim or Islam, is unfair.
* When asked to comment on the envisaged
plan of restoring King Zahir Shah in Afghanistan and whether the idea
was discussed with Mr.Brahimi, the Spokesman stated:
As you know that there are various peace
processes which are already taking place. There was the Rome process
that is King Zahir Shah’s initiative, the Bonn process and the Cyprus
process. Recently a convention has been held by important Afghans in
Peshawar which was widely attended by 1500 prominent Afghans. In that
Convention they have also made certain recommendations. Nearly all these
processes are united in one respect that they have to look for durable
peace in Afghanistan through the process of Loya Jirga. Various steps
in that have been identified. King Zahir Shah has announced that there
should be a 120 member’s supreme council for national unity. Nominations
to this council have not yet been made, the Afghans are in the process
of consultations. Zahir Shah’s delegation has visited Pakistan and held
consultations with us. Similarly, other groups are talking to each other.
We hope it will give impetus to the peace process so that the Afghans
can find a political dispensation which can ensure durable peace inside
Afghanistan.
* When asked to comment on the statement
of the Head of the UNMOGIP in India and Pakistan regarding mounting
tension on the LOC and his proposal to seek United States intervention
for the resolution of Kashmir issue, the Spokesman responded:
Well, you know Pakistan’s position in
this regard. We would like to resolve all issues with India, particularly
the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir through negotiations in the light
of UN resolutions, keeping in mind the wishes of the Kashmiri people
through bilateral talks or through intermediation of a third country
or an organization. We think it is important to resolve this issue at
an early date so that the tension the region is faced with all the time
can be resolved.
Source: www.forisb.org/FOS01-54.htm
Transcript of the
Press Conference Addressed by the Foreign Office Spokesman 29 October
2001
Opening Comments
I have two pieces of information to
share with you. First the Foreign Minister of France Mr. Herbert Vedrine
will be visiting Islamabad on 1-2 November and also during the same
dates Greek Foreign Minister Mr.George Papandreou would also be visiting
Islamabad. So this is the information I have to convey to you.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed
during the question-answer session:
* When his comments were sought on the
Bahawalpur incident where Christians were murdered by some terrorist,
the Spokesman said:
You must have heard the comments of
the President on this terrible act of terrorism targeting a minority
and targeting their place of worship. Also you must have heard the statements
of a large number of religious and political leaders condemning this
terrible act of terrorism. Certainly, this is something which is intolerable
and as already been stated, we do not rule out possibility of foreign
hand in this incident but obviously whoever are responsible for this
criminal act their objective was to create instability and unrest in
Pakistan.
* When asked to comment on the bilateral
talks between Mr. Lakhder Brahimi and our Foreign Minister, the Spokesman
said:
Mr.Lakhder Brahimi came yesterday and
today he had first set of discussions with our Foreign Minister and
will be meeting the President tomorrow. He would be in Islamabad for
a few days. These talks naturally related to the situation in Afghanistan
and also the initiative by the UN Secretary General and UN itself for
promoting the process which will lead hopefully to a broad-based government
and national reconciliation in Afghanistan. We exchanged views regarding
our assessment and his own ideas relating to this process. There is
a complete agreement that all the Afghans and all neighbours of Afghanistan
and the international community and the UN itself affirm the territorial
integrity of Afghanistan. The territorial integrity of Afghanistan has
to be preserved and protected.
Secondly, that any process which leads
to national reconciliation will have to involve all the Afghans and
it will have to be home-grown, it will have to be developed by the Afghans
themselves, the outsiders can help the process but they will not be
participants in the process. They also took note of the various processes
going on, including the meetings which took place in Rome, the meeting
in Peshawar and meeting also taking place in Cyprus. Basically, this
was a preliminary meeting where there were discussions relating to various
aspects of these initiatives and how to proceed.
* When his attention was drawn to the
envisaged broad-based government and the related reports that the United
States and some European countries were reluctant to include the Taleban
in such a future plan, the Spokesman commented:
When we say that the process has to
be developed by the Afghans themselves then it will have to include
all the Afghans who are outside and more importantly, I should say all
the Afghans who are inside Afghanistan. There may be 25 to 30% who are
outside Afghanistan, but there may be 70-75% Afghans who are inside
Afghanistan, they will have to be inducted in this process. Of course,
this is the challenge for the United Nations how to bring about national
reconciliation.
* When asked to give his views on the
specifics of the proposed Council of 12 Ministers encompassing various
ethnic groups, being purported by Lakhdar Brahimi and the propose visit
to Pakistan by former King Zahir Shah, the Spokesman stated:
We have no information about the former
King Zahir Shah’s interest in coming to Islamabad or Peshawar. Now coming
to your question, first of all the meeting which has taken place was
a working lunch and a preliminary meeting. There were no specific ideas
which were discussed at this particular meeting and basically the ideas
were in the nature of our discussion with other neighbours like Iran
and also the broad parameters of this process such as I have already
indicated that the territorial integrity of Afghanistan has to be respected.
Also, there is an international consensus on that all Afghans be brought
into this process and they have to be encouraged and this process will
have to be carried forward and developed by the Afghans themselves.
There were no specific ideas which were discussed.
Surely, when we talk about all Afghans
it has to include all Afghans outside as well as inside Afghanistan
and that certainly was emphasized.
* When his views were sought on the
news item pertaining to the possibility of US forces using small nuclear
bombs in Afghanistan and also CENTCOM’s Chief, General Tony Frank’s
visit to Islamabad, the Spokesman said:
We firmly reject even the thought of
using nuclear weapons, tactical or otherwise, and if I am not mistaken
this question earlier was put to Secretary of State and his response
to the questionnaire was ‘where did you get these ideas from’. We firmly
and categorically reject any thought of using nuclear weapons, tactical
or otherwise, in Afghanistan.
I can confirm that General Tony Frank,
Commander-in-Chief of CENTCOM, came to Islamabad on a brief visit and
met the President accompanied by the US Ambassador in Islamabad. They,
of course, discussed the situation relating to Afghanistan. Others present
included General Aziz Khan, Chairman CJSC, the Air Chief, the Naval
Chief and Vice Chief of Army Staff General Muhammad Yousaf along with
other senior army officials when General Tony Frank met the President.
* Asked if the CENTCOM Chief has taken
Pakistan into confidence about the US military plans in Afghanistan,
the Spokesman stated:
I do not have the specifics of the
meeting.
* When asked to give his views on the
commonality of perception between Pakistan and the visiting German Chancellor
vis-à-vis a short operation in Afghanistan and his comments in
India regarding the resumption of bilateral talks between India and
Pakistan, the Spokesman stated:
Yes, about the resumption of dialogue
with India, Pakistan has absolutely no hesitation in that. Pakistan
agrees that there should be resumption of dialogue with India because
only through dialogue we can address meaningfully the question of Kashmir
which is at the heart of tension between the two countries for more
than half a century. The international community also desires that there
should be resumption and solution of this longstanding dispute between
the two countries. I hope you were present at the joint press briefing
addressed by the two Presidents and at that time also there was affirmation
of the hope by the German Chancellor that there will be resumption of
dialogue between the two countries.
Germany, certainly Pakistan and many
other countries have emphasized that military operation should be as
short as possible that care should be taken that no civilian lives are
lost and the operation should be focused in its targets. That is something
which has been stated by many leaders of the world. This remains also
Pakistan’s position.
* When he was asked to spell out Pakistan’s
policy regarding its arms tribesmen’s determination to enter Afghanistan
and help the Taleban, the Spokesman stated:
Pakistan’s position is very clear on
this. We would not want any Pakistani to be going inside Afghanistan.
We have also asked the Afghan government, the Taleban leadership that
they should not have any Pakistani as part of their military efforts
or part of their forces and they should not have them in their training
bases etc. this is not the position we have taken now, this is a position
that we had taken quite some time ago and we have been emphasizing this
position after the adoption of resolution 1267 which is almost one and
half year old now. So that position continues to remain the same and
we maintain it.
* When he was asked to give his views
about the possibility of a suspension of military operation in Afghanistan
during the month of Ramadan, the Spokesman stated:
The US is keeping all its options open.
But we have made our position very clear and we have said that the sanctity
of the Holy month of Ramadan should be maintained and that continuation
of military operation during the month of Ramadan would aggravate the
sentiments of the Muslims around the world.
* Asked to comment about the proposed
visit of the President to New York, the Spokesman replied:
Yes, the decision has been taken in
principle and it is being given a definitive shape and in all possibility,
the visit will take place but the details of the visit are still being
worked out.
* When asked to give his views on the
large scale unrest in the Northern Areas and their possible ramification
for Pakistan’s Afghan policy, the Spokesman observed:
You are right. There have been some
unrest in the Khohistan area. Today some discussions with the Chief
of the Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-Sharia Muhammadi has taken place and he has
already issued a call that this kind of road blocking is not correct.
Those people who may be involved in this activity should not do so.
By blocking roads etc. by creating unrest in the country they are helping
nobody’s cause, it is only damaging Pakistan and I don’t think that
any Pakistani in his right mind, while having all right to protest peacefully
and to make his point of view known, would want to damage property or
create unrest. But it is not making any material difference. There is
no tourism these days to the Northern Areas, no trade at present through
this border with China, so that is the situation. Food situation in
northern areas has not been affected by this temporary closure.
* When his comments were sought on the
possibility of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Vajpayee and
our President in New York, the Spokesman stated:
It depends on how the programme is worked
out. First of all it will depend on whether such a meeting can be arranged.
At present it is not on the cards. The programme has not yet been finalized,
therefore, I cannot say anything definitely at present.
* When asked to give his observation
about the statement attributed to the Chief UNHCR urging Pakistan to
open its borders to Afghan refugees, the Spokesman said:
What we have agreed and this what we
have been doing earlier that we permit vulnerable and sick, old, women
and children to come to Pakistan. We cannot completely open our border
because according to the UN itself there are anywhere between one to
one and a half million people who are displaced and who may be wanting
to come to Pakistan. Secondly, there are anywhere between five to seven
million Afghans who are vulnerable and they may be potential refugees.
And if we open our borders then we would be having a mass of humanity
coming into Pakistan and there is no way Pakistan can take care of these
people in addition to the three million Afghan refugees who are already
in Pakistan. It would be simply impossible and our policy remains and
we are persuading and emphasizing with the UN agencies that as much
as possible assistance should be sent inside Afghanistan so that these
people do not cross the border.
* When asked to comment on the justification
for a broad-based government in Afghanistan, the Spokesman stated:
I would like to draw you attention to
the numerous resolutions adopted by the OIC and the UN which stipulate
to put an end to the long and fratricidal conflict and the establishment
of a broad-based government which can bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has always endorsed these resolutions and we still maintain
such a stance.
Source: www.forisb.org/FOS01-53.htm
Speech by the Foreign Minister
on the 56th anniversary of the United Nations, 24 October 2001
All of us, friends and admirers of the
United Nations, assemble here this morning to celebrate the 56th anniversary
of the Organization.
Conceived in the midst of history’s
most destructive war, the United Nations is the repository of humanity’s
deepest hopes for the preservation of international peace and security.
The people of the world also look up
to the United Nations for fulfillment of the Charter pledge "to
promote social progress and better standard of life in larger freedom."
There could be no greater tribute to
the United Nations than the reaffirmation of faith in the Organization
and its Charter by the Heads of State and Government gathered at the
Millennium Summit of the General Assembly last year.
The selection of Secretary General
Kofi Annan and the United Nations for conferment of the Nobel Prize
for Peace this year is another testimony to the valuable services rendered
by the Organization to the cause of peace.
The United Nations and its agencies
make a seminal contribution to economic development and poverty alleviation,
improvement of health, promotion of literacy, protection of children,
and provision of relief for refugees, food for the hungry, and multiple
services to distressed humanity.
A grateful recipient of UN cooperation
and assistance, Pakistan is also proud of the contribution we have made
to UN causes. We have been a constant supporter of UN peace-keeping
operations. Our soldiers have served in distant countries of three continents
and given sacrifice of life for sake of peace.
Within the limits of our resources,
we have contributed materially to the UN Development Programme.
We have extended full cooperation to
the UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan. Regrettably,
their work has been obstructed and the resolutions of the Security Council
pledging self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir remain
unimplemented. As a result, the travail of the people of the State continues.
According to the All Parties Hurriyet Conference, more than 75,000 Kashmiris
have been killed by occupation forces over the last 12 years.
Although our capacity is limited and
stamina strained, we are trying our best to lend services in kind for
the temporary care of displaced persons from Afghanistan. We hope that
the UN will be able to mobilize adequate funds for the maintenance of
these unfortunate persons for the duration of their stay and then ensure
their return to their own country.
All Members of the United Nations and
the Organization of the Islamic Conference have unanimously condemned
the terrorist outrage of 11 September 2001, extended condolences to
the United States and voted for cooperation to bring perpetrators, organizers
and sponsors of the terrorist attacks to justice. Terrorism in all forms
is a scourge the world community has to eradicate.
Pakistan is implementing its obligations
under the Security Council resolution of 12 September 2001.
We hope the Security Council will ensure
implementation of its own resolutions on other issues.
The world community needs to analyze
what leads human beings to desperation, fury and irrationality. One
of the causes surely is festering injustices.
The strategy for precluding calamitous
consequences is implicit in the Charter. The United Nations has the
mandate to promote peaceful settlement of disputes in conformity with
the principles of justice and international law.
All of us must hope that the community
of States will enable the United Nations to discharge its duty effectively.
On this day "we the people"
once again reaffirm our pledge to work for a future better than the
past.
Thank you.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FM01-12.html
."We haven't set
any limits. We are part of the coalition ... but my assessment is that
we go on until the objectives are achieved… the operation must be as
short as possible… Any dispensation, any arrangement must be homegrown
... In present circumstances I really don't see how moderate Taliban
could be totally removed from the scene… I have never been scared and
I have never been concerned about my personal security. God is great
and if I have to do something for this country I will do it."
-- President Pervez Musharraf, Quoted in Daily Telegraph,
London, October 27
"The US objective
of waging a war on Afghanistan does not seem to have been achieved.
Now the world, including Pakistan, has started thinking that whatever
currently is happening in Afghanistan is not good. The Muslims are upset
over a large number of civilian causalities…Neither we nor many Afghans
know the whereabouts of Osma bin Laden. The situation would not have
been the same after three weeks of heavy bombardment on Afghanistan
had we given the secret information to the US…The US is using occasionally
the air bases of Pasni, Baddin and Jaccobbabad for only rescue and search
operations…Like other Muslims of the world, our hearts are throbbing
over civilian causalities and difficulties being faced by Afghanistan
as a result of war. The Afghans have survived despite the US heavy air
strikes because their determination is strong…In their speeches at protest
meetings, the religious leaders are talking against the rulers, urging
people to topple the government but we are tolerating them…Their attitude
is not in the interest of the nation. They involved refugees in protests
and we have videos of all protests. The press is completely independent
in its working despite the time is very crucial for the country."
-- Moinuddin Haider, Federal Interior Minister, Lahore,
October 27
Transcript of the Press Conference
Address by the Foreign Office Spokesman 24, October 2001
Opening Comments
The Dutch Prime Minister will be visiting
Pakistan on 27 October 2001.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed
during the question-answer session:
* When his comments were sought on a
statement of the Indian Prime Minister that Pakistan should decide once
for all whether it was for peace or for war with India, the Spokesman
stated:
Pakistan is for peace. Pakistan is certainly
opposed to war. Pakistan is in favour of resumption of dialogue with
India. But you must have also witnessed that we have been hearing hostile
and threatening noises from the Indian side. Some important Indian personalities
have been talking of specific actions and proactive moves. Even there
were some suggestions for hot pursuits. Naturally, such hostile noises
require a robust response to reassure our own people and the President
has done that. The President has also reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for
resumption of dialogue with India. He has stated that one cannot clap
with one hand and, therefore, for resumption of a meaningful dialogue
it requires also a political determination on the part of India.
* When his attention was drawn to reports
appearing in a section of the press that few Pakistanis died in action
in Afghanistan and their dead bodies were being brought back to Pakistan,
the Spokesman stated:
For quite some time, the Pakistan Government
has impressed upon the Afghan government that they should not allow
any Pakistanis to be part of any of their forces and they should not
be allowed to go inside Afghanistan for any so-called training purposes,
and we have been very firm on this matter. We also try to interdict
any people crossing into Afghanistan.
We have also been requesting the Afghan
government to try to apprehend and hand over a large number of Pakistanis,
who are absconders, who are wanted by our courts and who according to
our information have slipped into Afghanistan. Now, if there are any
Pakistanis who may have gone into Afghanistan, we are not aware of their
number and also we are not in a position to confirm or deny the report
of casualties inside Afghanistan including some Pakistanis.
* When his comments were sought on reported
firing at a US helicopter inside Pakistani territory, the Spokesman
said:
I am aware of an incident relating to
a disabled US helicopter which was being taken to aircraft carrier in
the Indian Ocean. Because of late evening it could not be taken to its
destination and had to stay overnight in Pakistan. There was one single
or a couple of shots which reportedly were fired. This was a minor incident,
nothing serious. The disabled helicopter and the one which was carrying
it stayed overnight and left for the aircraft carrier in the early hours
next day.
* Asked with over 3 million Afghan refugees
already on our soil, why Pakistan was not asking other governments to
share the burden, the Spokesman said:
Pakistan would welcome any country taking
off some of our burden relating to Afghan refugees. But we are realist.
Our appeals are not going to make much of a difference. You have seen
those unfortunate Afghan refugees who tried to seek asylum elsewhere
and what happened to them.
I may also share this information with
you that there are a number of countries who basically want to push
the so-called illegal Afghans resident in those countries onto Pakistan.
They say Pakistan is the first country of asylum for these refugees,
therefore, Pakistan should take these people. We have taken the stand
that we already have enough Afghan refugees and as such not in a position
to take any more. In these circumstances any kind of appeals would be
simply unrealistic.
* To a related question that why Pakistan
was not impressing upon the UNHCR to ask other neighbours of Afghanistan
to open their borders for Afghan refugees, as Pakistan was already hosting
more than three million Afghans and was not in a position to entertain
more, the Spokesman stated:
All the neighbours of Afghanistan have
closed their borders and that is also the policy of Pakistan. But the
border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is quite peculiar and unique.
There are scores, if not hundreds, of mountain trails which cannot be
completely sealed. Therefore, about fifty to sixty thousand refugees
have already entered Pakistan since 11 September. There is no way to
check and seal each and every mountain trail along 2,500 kilometers
long border.
As regards your suggestion that we should
ask the UNHCR, this is something that we have always been saying that
Pakistan is burdened, and if any one else can share this burden we would
be happy. We are not suggesting this only to UNHCR, we are suggesting
it openly to anybody who wishes to take up this burden. We would welcome
any such offer.
* When his comments were sought on some
sort of criticism appearing in a section of the media that Pakistan
was not sincere to the idea of a broad-based government in Afghanistan,
and was causing a slowdown in the process, the Spokesman observed:
I don’t know where you have seen this
criticism. If it has appeared in some newspaper articles probably the
authors, if I may dare say so, has very little idea of Afghan history,
the country and what is happening there at present. This is an effort
which is being made for last fifteen years and anybody, who has the
slightest knowledge of the various ethnic groups, the divisions and
problems, which have been accentuated by years and years of conflicts
inside Afghanistan, would know how difficult and how monumental is this
task of promoting a consensus and a broad-based government, representative
of all segments of the Afghan population, which can bring peace in that
country. This is not a new effort. Effort has been going on. I think
those who are trying to suggest that we are ones who are causing some
kind of a slow-down in this process, should ask the Afghans themselves
what kind of ideas they have for promoting this process, and that would
give the idea of the difficulties.
* When asked about the purpose of the
upcoming visit of the German Chancellor and Pakistan’s expectations
from the visit, the Spokesman said:
We greatly appreciate this gesture by
German Chancellor to stop-over in Pakistan. He had a scheduled visit
to China and India. As a special gesture he has decided to stay in Pakistan
to hold discussions with our President. This is a show of solidarity
with Pakistan in this difficult time, and an expression of appreciation
for the position that Pakistan has taken.
As regards what Pakistan is expecting
from this visit, we do not have any specific expectations. Already the
Foreign Minister of Germany has visited Pakistan and the relationship
between the two countries has been fully normalized. There are assurances
that bilateral economic cooperation and trade cooperation between the
two countries will be enhanced and further developed. Also there are
assurances that Germany will work within the framework of the European
Union to help Pakistan’s economic interests, particularly trade interests.
In that context you might have already noted that the European Union
has given access to a number of our products without tariff.
It is a very positive gesture and would
help our trade. We hope that this kind of cooperation between our two
countries and our cooperation with the European Union would continue
in future.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-51.htm
"Our declared position
is that the military action should be as short as possible in the context
of its objectives of the Security Council resolutions.î Sattar
said: "We are Afghanistan's neighbour, friends and brother. We have
strong bonds of history and culture and ethnicity with the people of
Afghanistan."
-- Abdul Sattar, Foreign Minister, Islamabad, October
24
Live Interview
of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf to Larry King of CNN on 23 October
2001, Islamabad
Larry King: Mr. President, the other
day the Security Chief of the Taliban said Musharraf is our enemy and
the next target in due time. Does this give you any cause for concern?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, it does cause
concern, but not much. We have joined the coalition as a matter of principle
and we will stick to our decision.
Larry King: So nothing that they say
will affect you or be fearful for
your family?
Pervez Musharraf: No, I do not think
so. As I said it is a cause of some concern, but it is not such that
one should over worry about it.
Larry King: Was it a difficult decision
for you, Mr. President to support the international anti terror campaign?
Pervez Musharraf: Yes, it was. I will
have to admit it because of the domestic sentiments as opposed to the
requirements of action in Afghanistan against the terrorists. But we
took a very considered opinion and I know that a vast majority of the
country is supporting whatever decision I have taken. Although, it was
a difficult decision, but we took the right decision.
Larry King: You had previously supported
the Taliban, Mr. President. What prompted you to change that policy?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, the environment
changed. As I have always
been saying policies are made in accordance
with the environment that is prevailing. Before the 11th of September,
the environment was totally different. After the 11th of September,
however, the environment changed drastically. Therefore, the requirement
was for adjusting the policies in accordance with the ground realities.
Larry King: What Mr. President, is the
extent of your country's support to the United States effort. Will it
be limited to providing air bases, airspace and intelligence support.
Are the United States troops welcome in
Pakistan?
Pervez Musharraf: As I have enunciated
a number of times, we have assured our participation in the coalition
as far as the exchange of intelligence information, use of airspace
and provision of logistic support is concerned. Now we are operating
within these parameters and giving the support as promised.
Larry King: Would the Pakistani troops,
do you think, be involved?
Pervez Musharraf: No, I would not like
the Pakistani troops to get involved across the border in Afghanistan.
And they are not involved at all.
Larry King: And the meeting with the
Secretary of State Collin Powell last week. Would you call that meeting
successful?
Pervez Musharraf: I will call it very
successful.
Larry King: Would you agree to a new
broad based government in Afghanistan. And would you tell us how you
view that government?
Pervez Musharraf: I have been laying
down four parameters for such a government. Firstly, we must ensure
the unity and stability of Afghanistan and then bring peace into Afghanistan.
Secondly, to have a broad based multi-ethnic government, representative
of all the ethnic groups, taking into account the ethnic composition
of Afghanistan. Thirdly, we must not ever be seen to be imposing a political
solution on the Afghans. We should be seen facilitating a solution.
Therefore, the solution needs to be in accordance with the wishes of
the people of Afghanistan. Lastly, being a Pakistani, I would certainly
like to have a friendly Afghanistan on our Western border. So within
these four parameters, one needs to crystallize the political dispensation
that one would like to have in Afghanistan.
Larry King: What role do you see for
the northern Alliance?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, they are a part
of Afghanistan. They are Pushdowns. They are very much a part of Afghanistan
and they have a role to playas far as their ethnic composition is concerned.
As I have already said, we are for a broad based government and a multi-ethnic
government in accordance with the ethnic composition of Afghanistan.
So certainly every Afghan has a role to play in a future government
in Afghanistan.
Larry King: What has the United States,
Mr. President, promised you in return? They have lifted sanctions and
they are helping you to pay down some debts and some other matters?
Pervez Musharraf: First of all, let
me say that we did not get involved in a deal, initially, when we decided
to be a part of the coalition. There was no such deal that was agreed
upon. However, being our coalition partner, they do understand the problems
and the difficulties besetting us. So the sanctions have already been
lifted and we are grateful for that. We
are also in the process of negotiating
the economic assistance that Pakistan can get, not only from the United
States, but also from the European Union and the other countries who
have been assisting us in the past. We are negotiating for an economic
package to assist Pakistan out of its problems.
Larry King: How could you describe,
Mr. President, your relationship right now between your country and
the Taliban Government. You have diplomatic relations. How would you
describe this balance?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, we do have diplomatic
relations with Afghanistan. The Afghan Embassy is here, representative
of the Taliban. So to that extent, we have diplomatic relations and
contact with them. However, I would like to say that under present circumstances,
physical contact is not there at all. So our relations are totally in
cold storage.
Larry King: In the press conference
with the Secretary of State Colin
Powell you said you hoped that the operation
in Afghanistan will be short, it will not last a long time. Do you think
that it will really be short?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, the duration
of the operation is dependent on the achievement of certain objectives.
Any military operation has to clearly identify what exactly are the
military objectives. One is supposed to achieve those objectives before
bringing the operation to an end. But one does sincerely hope that the
objectives are achieved and the military operation is short. That is
what one would like to hope. And I would again like to say that we really
hope and one should attempt at achieving the military objectives as
fast as possible so that the military operation comes to an end soon.
Larry King: Are those objectives clear
to you?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, to my military
mind, although, I have not really discussed it in such detail, yes,
these objectives are really clear to me.
Larry King: You have said the United
States should first take out the Taliban Leader Mullah Umar. By first
do you mean that it should be before Osama bin Laden?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, this is attributed
to me in one interview, a supposed interview that I gave. This was not
an interview at all. This was an informal discussion where I did discuss
the military aspects just informally and let me reiterate, any military
operation has to identify the center of gravity first, and then set
military objectives to achieve that particular center of gravity. So,
to that extent, one would not really like to discuss whether Osama bin
Laden happens to be the center of gravity of the operation in Afghanistan
or not. To that extent, I did informally voice my views and I do stick
to those views.
Larry King: General, have you ever met
Osama bin Laden?
Pervez Musharraf: Never. I have never
met him. I would like to say .here that this campaign may have some
affects in the Muslim world. One would hope and wish that this campaign
comes to an end before the Holy month of Ramadan and one would hope
for restraint during the month of Ramadan because this would certainly
have some negative effects in the Muslim world.
Larry King: In all of the Muslim World,
the Muslims would have tough time during this holiest part of the year?
Pervez Musharraf: I think so, it will
certainly have some negative affects.
Larry King: Have you received any assurances
that there would not be any action during Ramadan?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, I have not got
any such assurance. But, as I have said, the month of Ramadan is about
a month away, perhaps less than a month, I would say. One hopes that
the military objectives, as I have said, do get achieved within this
duration so that the operation comes ! to an end.
Larry King: What is the feeling, Mr.
President, in your country about the United States. I know there have
been some sides that have lodged protests. We have seen them and there
have been some militant groups that are opposed to the United States.
What are the general feelings in Pakistan about America?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, if you want
a very frank answer, the feelings were good before, I would say when
we were together, fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan. But after the
Soviets were defeated in Afghanistan, Pakistan was left in the lurch.
Everyone left us alone. There was a sense of betrayal or a sense of
abandonment which was being felt by every Pakistani. It will take sometime
to overcome this feeling that exists in Pakistan, commonly.
Larry King: Therefore, it will cause
you problems politically suppolrting the United States since there is
that feeling of betrayal?
Pervez Musharraf: Yes, that is the cause
of the problem. I know that the vast majority has support for me. But
my problem arises when the same fraternal feelings do not exist with
the United States as they existed in 1980s when we were fighting a war
in Afghanistan, together. That feeling is not there which is causing
a bit of confusion in the minds of the Pakistanis. On the one side they
are with me and with my government, on the other side, this support
to the American action in Afghanistan which is expected from the Pakistanis
has confused them. They are not sure how to reconcile with these two
acts.
Larry King: Have you discussed any of
this with President Bush and by the way, do you speak to President Bush
on a regular basis?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, I have spoken
to him twice. I don't speak to him on a regular basis. I have told him
of the reality on ground here in Pakistan, but not in such a great detail.
But I did give it in a great detail to the Secretary of State, Colin
Powell.
Larry King: Therefore, you do have fears
that having been abandoned once in the past, this may happen again when
the operation ends in Afghanistan and they go to some other place?
Pervez Musharraf: Yes, indeed. That
is one of the prime topics that is being discussed all over Pakistan.
There is a feeling that we may be abandoned again after our support
to the United States and their coalition. Well, I feel and I really
very sincerely hope that this does not recur and the promise that we
have got from the United States materializes. It appears that they have
realized the follies of the past and I am very hopeful that it will
not recur. It will not be in Pakistan's interest and the larger interest
of the United States, specially, in relation to the geo-strategic importance
of this region.
Larry King: What would you think if
America took the attack further and went into Iraq?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, frankly at this
moment, with the kind of sentiments that prevail in the Muslim world,
I don't think it will
be very productive. It will certainly
increase the opposition towards the United States.
Larry King: How are you handling the
refugees problem. How many are coming from across the border?
Pervez Musharraf: This is causing a
great concern to us. Hundreds of thousands of refugees want to cross
over into Pakistan. And our ,Ulema is that we already have about 2.5
million refugees here in Pakistan. And you can compare this when you
think of a country like Australia not prepared to accept even 200 refugees.
So an economically weak country like Pakistan cannot really accept refugees
over this great figure of 2.5 million. Now the problem that arises is
how to accommodate more and in this regard we have been dealing with
the UNHCR and our point of view has always been that we must establish
camps across the border in Afghanistan and all assistance to the refugees
must be given over there so that the people go back to Afghanistan instead
of settling them over here. Our country already comprises of 140 million
people. We only hope that with joint efforts with the UNHCR, we can
resolve this problem. Pakistan is prepared to accept the aged, the children,
the women and the injured. But we cannot open the flood gates for all
the refugees.
Larry King: Pakistan and India both
have nuclear weapons, we all know that. Do you fear if fundamentalists
took control in your area of the world, they would have use of those
bombs. How well are they protected?
Pervez Musharraf: These thoughts are
around the world, specially, in the West. Let me tell you these thoughts
are with those who do not really understand the reality of Pakistan,
internally. First of all, let me say that all our nuclear assets and
the strategic assets are in very safe hands. We have evolved an excellent
command and control system. There is no
question of their falling into the hands
of any fundamentalists. Let me also tell you that Pakistan is a moderate
Islamic country and I mean every word of it. No religious extremist
party has even won any size able number of seats in any elections in
Pakistan. Even now, when we had these local elections, let me tell you
that the candidates who had support from the religious parties, not
numbered even two per cent of the total who were elected. Pakistan is
a moderate Islamic country and there is no question of any fundamentalists
getting hold of our strategic assets.
Larry King: Do you expect to resolve
the dispute between Pakistan and India over Kashmir?
Pervez Musharraf: You cannot clap with
one hand. I am trying my best. You need to ask this question across
the border from Prime Minister Vajpayee.
Larry King: And what could you tell
us about the helicopter crash in Pakistan in which two U.S soldiers
were killed and three others injured?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, this happened
at one of the bases which we have provided to the United States for
the logistic support. This was a routine accident. It had nothing to
do with reaction from any side.
Larry King: Mr. President, finally,
are you optimistic or pessimistic about this whole terrorist situation.
Do you think the coalition can succeed or do you have genuine worries?
Pervez Musharraf: Well, action against
terrorism does not start and end
in Afghanistan. I would agree with President
Bush when he said that operation will be long. I presume he is talking
of the operations and the campaign against terrorism in its entire complexity.
That will not end with the termination of operation in Afghanistan.
One has to persist to eliminate terrorism from around the world.
Larry King: Thank you so much, Mr. President:
Thank you for the time.
We appreciate it a great deal.
Pervez Musharraf: Thank you very much,
Larry. It was a pleasure,
Source: www.forisb.org/CE01_08.html
Transcript of the Press Conference
Addressed by the Foreign Office Spokesman,
October 23, 2001
Opening Comments
There was no statement made in the beginning and the
press briefing opened with the question-answer session.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed during the question-answer
session:
* When his comments were sought on a recent statement
of Indian Prime Minister that he would not be meeting President Musharraf
in New York, and secondly on Israeli Foreign Minister’s comments that
Pakistan’s bomb was an Islamic bomb and that the US was fighting Israel’s
war in Afghanistan, the Spokesman stated:
With regard to the first part of your question, the
President had made it very clear in his interview with the PTV yesterday
and in his another interview ‘Larry King Live’, wherein he said that
Pakistan is interested in the resumption of dialogue with India. But,
of course, you cannot clap with one hand. We hope that India would review
its position and resume dialogue with Pakistan. Because that is the
only way to address the outstanding problems between Pakistan and India,
particularly Kashmir which is at the heart of conflict and tension between
the two countries, to normalize relations and to work for peace, stability
and progress in the region.
As regards you second question, I have not seen the
report which you have mentioned. But as you are aware, a question with
a similar suggestion was also posed to the US Secretary of State Mr.Colin
Powell in New Delhi, to which he had spontaneously responded saying
‘non-sense’, which amply described the motivation underlying that question.
Let me say that all world leaders, scholars and political analysts have
very forcefully rejected any linkage between terrorism and Islam or
any other religion. Bombs do not have a religion. Such insinuations
are product of negative thinking or a kind of latent racism.
* When his comments were sought on apparently different
positions being expounded by Pakistan and the United States vis-à-vis
the action against Afghanistan, and if that meant that Pakistan was
close to a situation to review its present policy, the Spokesman said:
We are basically expressing our own point of view,
we are not conducting operations. We are not sponsors of the operations.
We have been told what the objectives of the operations are. We have
also been assured that these operations are not against Afghanistan
or the Afghan people and that every care will be taken that civilian
targets are not hit. The operation is basically to focus on military
targets.
Our expectation, desire, wish is that these operations
should be as short as possible. They should not extend beyond what is
absolutely necessary to achieve the objectives the sponsors have in
mind. Our desire that they should be as short as possible is also motivated
by the fact that in any such operations there are always civilian casualties,
which is obviously a matter of deep regret and pain for us.
We also understand that the United States too has no
desire to prolong these operations beyond what may be necessary for
achieving the objectives that they have in mind. Now if we are talking
about two levels of this fight against terrorism: one which is a broader
and a protracted campaign. As regards military operations, the United
States may be thinking on different lines. Surely, we are not thinking
in terms of any protracted military operations. In fact it is not just
Pakistan but the whole world has an interest that these operations should
be as short as possible, and as soon as the objectives are accomplished
they should come to a halt.
* To a question about the Afghan refugees and if Pakistan
would be considering to open the border to accommodate the people really
in distress, the Spokesman said:
The Afghan border so far remains closed. We are not
accepting the Afghan refugees. But, there is a lot of pressure and a
large number of people have been able to get inside Pakistan. We are
accepting children, women, wounded, sick, old people. Particularly on
the Chaman border there is a great pressure. According to the latest
information about ten thousand people had gathered and wanted to enter
Pakistan. We have some understanding with the Taleban local authorities
along the border to put up a tent village just across the border. We
are hoping that the assistance coming from the international agencies
and the local donors would be disbursed in that tent village, so the
people need not cross over in search of food and relief.
Basically the emphasis is that those people who are
really in dire need to get into Pakistan be accommodated. But those
families who can be helped inside Afghanistan should not come over.
So family units with accompanying males would be encouraged to remain
inside Afghanistan
* Asked as to how Pakistan would cope with the requirements
of such a large number of refugees with the meager assistance, the Spokesman
said:
There are commitments for relief assistance from a
broad spectrum of sources. Our own NGO such as the Edhi Foundation are
providing valuable relief assistance in food, medicine and tents. The
UN and WFP is doing a marvelous job. Saudis and other governments have
sent relief assistance. We hope that the international community would
help these refugees inside Afghanistan vigorously, so their hardship
is ameliorated there and they need not come over to Pakistan.
* Asked as to how he viewed the advancement of the
Northern Alliance and their intension to capture Mazar-e-Sharif and
Kabul, replacing the Taleban, the Spokesman said:
Yes, we have seen such reports. Our assessment, which
is also shared by the UN, the international community is that any group
which tries to impose itself on Kabul is not going to solve the problem
of conflict and turmoil in Afghanistan, which has been there for more
than two decades now. So it is important that there is some kind of
a broad-based arrangement which is acceptable to all segments of Afghans
and which can bring about peace and stability to that war-torn country.
* Drawing his attention to reported killing of one
hundred patients, doctors, nurses, during a US attack on a hospital
in Heart, a correspondent inquired as to why Pakistan was not condemning
such brutal acts involving civilian casualties as had already done in
case of deaths of civilian in 11 September events in the United States,
the Spokesman observed:
As for the specific report, the Afghan Ambassador made
a statement yesterday that a bomb had fallen on a hospital. Today you
might have seen a statement by US Defence Secretary that no such incident
has taken place. It has been completely denied. Now we do not have any
independent information so far on this.
But on the question of civilian killings this is a
matter of deep concern for us. Regardless of the validity of the Herat
incident, we deeply regret even if there is one civilian is killed and
one innocent life is lost. We are deeply saddened, anguished and pained
by these killings. From the human perspective, even loss one innocent
life is unacceptable. We would continue to insist that every care must
be taken that there is no collateral damage or civilian loss of life
during the conduct of these operations. We have been told that these
operations are not against Afghanistan and Afghan people. So we would
continue to insist and emphasize for all possible care to avoid loss
of lives, especially of innocent people.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-50.htm
Transcript
of the Press Conference Addressed by the Foreign Office Spokesman, October
22, 2001
Opening Comments
Mr. Askar Aitmatov, Advisor to the President of Kyrgyzstan
on International Relations, visited Pakistan as a Special Envoy of the
Kyrgyz President. He called on President General Pervez Musharraf today.
He delivered a message of the Kyrgyz President to the President of Pakistan.
In the message the Kyrgyz President expressed support, solidarity and
fraternity with the Government and the people of Pakistan in the present
difficult situation. Earlier detailed discussions were held with Foreign
Minister Abdul Sattar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During these meetings, the evolving situation in the
region since 11th September, especially developments regarding Afghanistan,
as well as bilateral cooperation were discussed.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed during the question-answer
session:
* When his attention was drawn to various reports that
Pakistani border with Afghanistan had been opened at Chaman and quite
good number of refugees entered Pakistani territory availing the opportunity,
the Spokesman said:
In fact, Pakistan has not opened the border. No decision
has been taken in this regard. But as you know we do admit old persons,
children and women into Pakistan. About 5000 Afghans had gathered close
to the border. Women and children among them were admitted to Pakistan
and with them there were also other Afghans also crossed over because
of the pressure. As a matter of fact border cannot be completely sealed.
But the position relating to not to allow people to cross into Pakistan
without valid documents continues to be in force.
* Asked if it was true that the Afghans pelted stones
on Pakistani border guards and literally forced their entry into Pakistan,
the Spokesman said:
Yes, this incident did take place, but we are trying
whatever is possible to allow international humanitarian organizations
to send food inside Afghanistan so that this pressure remains limited
and contained. But naturally under the situation at times we do face
problems like the one we faced yesterday.
* When his comments were sought on report that the
Government was contemplating to carry out some kind of screening of
the Afghan refugees in Pakistan, the Spokesman stated:
Yes, that is a very normal practice. If we find any
illegal residents in Pakistan we try to take some action. But it depends
who these people may be. In case of Afghans we have to check their antecedents
in order to send them to refugee camps. But if there are any other foreigners
without legal documents naturally that would be a case for deportation,
and that is the usual practice.
* Asked if Pakistan would consider the various appeals
emanating from international agencies to open its border for Afghans,
the Spokesman stated:
This request has been there for quite some time. But
we have also explained again and again that Pakistan is hosting more
than three million Afghan refugees. During this period of crisis there
are more than fifty thousand who have trickled into Pakistan. We are
not in a position to really take care of massive flows of Afghan refugees
into Pakistan. We have made some arrangements to meet any contingencies.
But at present our policy remains very firm that whatever the international
community and whatever Pakistan should do for providing relief and food
it should be done inside Afghanistan, so that these people do not have
to come into Pakistan in search of relief and food.
* Asked if there had been any kind of flow of information
between Pakistan and United States or feed back on the information already
provided, in the backdrop of the ongoing US military operations in Afghanistan,
the Spokesman observed:
There is no feed back as far as I know regarding what
we may have told them and what they may have found. There is not any
kind of flow of information helping to verify things. As stated earlier,
the information sharing phase was at the stage when a US team had come
and stayed in Pakistan for almost a week. I am not aware of any such
flow of information or exchange of information between two sides at
the moment.
* To a supplementary question whether the information
process was over, the Spokesman said:
As stated earlier a US delegation had left Pakistan
after staying for about a week. But it does not mean that the process
is completely stopped, but now any information exchange would be on
as and when necessary basis.
* When his comments were sought on a reported statement
of the Russian President that the future set up of Government in Afghanistan
would not include even moderate Taleban, the Spokesman said:
The position of the international community and the
United Nations on this issue is very clear, and that is in favour of
a broad-based government, representative of all segments of Afghan population,
and surely the Afghan population includes the Taleban, as well.
* Asked if there had been any cross-border movement
between Iran and Pakistan, the Spokesman said:
As regards the question of any cross border movement
between Iran and Pakistan, there is a problem of smuggling. For that
purpose both the governments have been taking measures and cooperating
with each other to stop this illegal activity. So there have been incidents
occasionally. Apart from that I am not aware of any other cross border
event between Pakistan and Iran.
* When his attention was drawn to a reported statement
by Russia and China calling for immediate end to military operations
in Afghanistan and starting of a political process for the future shaping
of things, the Spokesman said:
I have not read this kind of a statement. Surely we
would also like the military operations to stop as early as possible.
We are in favour of a political process not just to start but to materialize
quickly so that there can be national reconciliation in Afghanistan.
That is our wish. We know that many Afghans are also trying to accelerate
that process with the help of the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy
who would also be visiting the area soon.
* Asked whether Pakistan’s assertion that Northern
Alliance should not be a part of the broad-based government in Afghanistan
was not a kind of an interference in the internal affairs of that country,
the Spokesman stated:
What we have said is a positive thing, i.e. there should
be a broad-based government because we and the entire international
community believe that only that can bring about peace in Afghanistan.
As regards the Northern Alliance, our President is on record having
stated that Northern Alliance should also have a place in a broad-based
government. Elements from Northern Alliance should be included in that
because they also control about ten percent of Afghanistan’s territory.
Therefore, we never said that they should not be a
part of a broad-based government. They ought to be a part of the broad-based
government but what we have also said is that one group or the other
group imposed to Afghanistan is not going to bring an end to the conflict.
In that case, turmoil and conflict would continue which is not in favour
of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the region.
* Asked if he was satisfied with the results of the
US operations in Afghanistan, the Spokesman stated:
The operations have been undertaken for a purpose i.e.
to go for Osma Bin Ladin and Al-Qaida network. That is also consistent
with the UN Security Council’s resolutions. Now since the Taleban government
is protecting this particular network and is hosting Osma Bin Laden,
they are also the target of these operations. Earlier, it was stated
by the US President that if Osma Bin Ladin and Al-Qaeda members were
handed over, the operations would stop. How this objective is going
to be achieved, and what are other objectives in the mind of US Administration,
we cannot comment. But these are the stated objectives and one thing
that we have said emphatically is, that the operations should be as
short as possible and that care should be taken that innocent people
do not suffer and civilian lives are not lost.
* Asked whether Pakistan would welcome former King
Zahir Shah for a play a role in a future set up of Afghanistan, the
Spokesman said:
If he can play a symbolic role or the role of a catalyst
or a role of a participant, we would welcome that. But it is something
for the Afghans to decide themselves, and of course the former King
is also a part of them.
* To a question with regard to Pakistan’s reservation
about the future set-up in Afghanistan, and its position on outside
assistance to various groups in that country, the Spokesman stated:
When we express our apprehensions regarding a group
being imposed on Afghanistan or a group trying to impose itself on Afghanistan,
we are talking about it on the basis of our own experience. In the past
for example the Soviet Union tried to impose a particular party on Afghanistan
and that did not work. Later on we also found that one of the groups
tried to prolong its control of Kabul and that prolonged turmoil and
conflict in that country.
So far as the question that the neighbours of Afghanistan
should not supply arms etc. to Afghan parties, we have a position. That
is why we had certain reservations on resolution 1267 of the UN Security
Council, which basically imposes an arms embargo against the Taleban
sparing the Northern Alliance. Pakistan’s position has been consistently
that there should be arms embargo imposed against all the parties so
that no party is encouraged to push for a military option which has
not worked.
* To a question with regard to the logic giving recognition
to the Taleban government in Kabul, the Spokesman said:
I have on many occasions tried to explain our position
why we recognized and why we have diplomatic relations with the Taleban
government. It was simply because they were in control of Kabul and
about 90% of Afghanistan. Ours had been a consistent position that we
maintained these kinds of relations whosoever was in charge in Kabul.
We did so earlier when in contravention of some of the accords, the
Northern Alliance perpetuated its rule and there was lot of fighting
around Kabul. But we continued to maintain our diplomatic relations
with the Northern Alliance until 1995-96. We adopt that position because
for reasons of geography and for reasons of very peculiar relationship
between Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially Afghanistan’ dependence
on transit trade as well as food supplies etc. This is also because
of the kind of interaction that the populations of the two countries
have across the Durand Line.
* Asked if it was fair on the part of the United Nations
to play a kind of a role it was playing in Afghanistan and if this was
not interference, the Spokesman said:
Since late 1980s and during 1990s there has been an
evaluation in the role of the UN through a succession of resolutions.
You may take note of the fact that Chapter VII resolutions have been
adopted by the UN only after 1991-92 i.e. the end of Cold War. The UN
system is based on a modicum of cooperation among the major powers i.e.
the veto-powers and in fact only after 1991-92 this became possible
that they had modicum of cooperation and that is why you have a succession
of resolutions under Chapter VII including Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, Somalia,
East Timor etc. So there has been a certain evaluation in the role of
the United Nations in the decade of the 1990s.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-49.htm
"I think it all depends how long the various actions
will last but I think our preliminary estimates are anywhere from one
billion to two-and-a-half billion dollars for the year… If it ends soon
it will be on the lower side of this range, if it continues for longer
it will be on the higher side so it is a substantial cost."
-- Shaukat Aziz, Finance Minister, Islamabad, October 21, 2001
Transcript
of th Press Conference Addressed by the Foreign Office Spokesman,
October 19, 2001
Opening Comments
The visiting German Foreign Minister, Mr. Joscka Fischer
has held meeting with our Foreign Minister in Foreign Office and at
present he is meeting with our President. I understand that he would
be having a press conference around 4.15 or so. I would finish this
press conference as early as possible, but that depends on you. The
two Foreign Ministers had details discussions relating to the Afghanistan
situation. They also touched upon the relations between Pakistan and
India and then also of course he had discussions relating to bilateral
cooperation bilateral relations. The visiting German Foreign expressed
appreciation of the position which Pakistan has taken as part of the
coalition against terrorism and expressed solidarity with Pakistan he
also assured that there is now full normalization of bilateral cooperation
between Pakistan and Germany. With regard to the Afghanistan the discussions
mainly focused on the prospects of a broad-based government in Afghanistan.
The German Foreign Minister also underscored the sensitivities that
Germany and also the European countries have for the enormous problem
of refugees faced by Pakistan and the commitment of European countries
to do whatever they can to help Pakistan to meet this challenge of increasing
number of refugees and taking care of them. So generally these were
the lines on which discussion between the two Foreign Ministers took
place after his meeting with the President we would perhaps be issuing
a short press release.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed during the question-answer
session:
* When asked about the significance of Germany Chancellor
visit to Pakistan, the spokesman said:
The German Chancellor will be visiting on 28th. He
had a scheduled visit to China and India. Now he has added Pakistan
as well as and naturally he would very much interested in the situation
as it is evolving and developing. Germany has already assured that now
bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries is fully
normal. They are also working within the framework of the European Union
to help Pakistan as much as possible and you must have already seen
three-four days ago, the European Union has provided enhanced access
to the EU market. So of course these visits are very important and they
are significant they also are an affirmation of the right decision which
the government of President Musharraf has taken in the circumstances.
* When asked about the return of the Ambassador of
Taleban to Islamabad and the reported peace proposal brought by him,
the Spokesman stated:
Well he I don’t know whether he has already reached
Islamabad but so far he had not contact us to discuss any plan or anything
that he may have brought from Khandhar. But surely if he has anything
any proposal we would be prepared to listen to him but he has so far
not contacted us in this regard.
* When asked about reports that US land forces are
inside in Afghanistan, the Spokesman stated:
We have no information relating to any special troops
or any troops introduced by United States inside Afghanistan. We have
also seen reports in the media but much of it could well be speculation.
In fact one of the report that I saw on a very important news network
was that they have sent some people to persuade the Afghans to abandon
the Taleban. But in any case that is something that should be asked
from the Americans.
* Asked about naming the cities and bases provided
to the US, the Spokesman stated:
No, because we here are not going to talk about any
specifics relating to any operations. We have said that on specifics
we will not be commenting but the parameters of Pakistan’s commitment
remains the same three areas and also that there would no operations
initiated/conducted from the territory of Pakistan. This is a part of
the three parameters, you know very well, the logistical support, air-space
and information sharing.
* Asked to elaborate on logistical support, the Spokesman
remarked:
Again on specifics I will not be commenting. But if
I recall what I have said that yes, the logistical facilities will be
given and they will be to meet any contingency situations. One of you
gentlemen had earlier asked me a question that what kind of contingency
is foreseen, in that elaboration I had suggested that there could be
need for an aircraft to land in emergency. I had not said anything beyond
that but again let me repeat that no operations will be launched will
be initiated from the territory of Pakistan.
* When asked if President Musharraf will be visiting
United States next month and whether there will be meeting with the
Indian Prime Minister:
No decision has yet been taken for the visit of the
President to New York. The facts are that the general debate in the
UN General Assembly will now be taking place from 10 to 16 November
and we have asked our Mission to have a slot for Pakistan inscribed
among the list of speakers. This is normally done as a contingency planning
that in case a decision is taken then a suitable slot for participation
in the general debate is available for the President. But so far no
final decision has been taken in this regard. Now we know that the Indian
Prime Minister will be in New York and he would be speaking probably
on the 10th, the first day of the general debate. The question of any
meeting etc. can only become relevant if there is a decision on the
part of our President to participate in this UN GA Session, before that
to say anything would be totally conjecture.
* Asked about visit to Pakistan by the former King
Zahir Shah and holding of the Loi Jirga, the Spokesman said:
The delegation of the former King is in Islamabad.
They are meeting various Afghans and the question of convening of Loi
Jirga and the question of what role can the former King assume any future
dispensation is something which is entirely for the Afghans to decide.
It is not possible for me as an outsider to be making any assumption
about that. But I am sure that these questions that you can put to the
leader of the former King’s delegation who happens to be in Islamabad
at present. The King has not expressed any desire to visit Pakistan.
There was a desire expressed to send a delegation to Pakistan which
we welcomed and the delegation is here. The delegation had met the President
and has had meetings with our Foreign Minister and are meeting here
other Afghans.
* Asked about investment climate in Pakistan and effects
of the current situation on trade, the Spokesman said:
I think this question you may like to put to the commerce
people but let me say that there is this problem and the President had
made an appeal to the investors and people who do trade with Pakistan.
The situation in the country in terms of our productivity and businesses
is normal. The foreign traders should continue with their business transactions
with Pakistan. To what extent situation has changed since the appeal
that means within the last one week’s time, I think it would a bit to
early to make any assessment. In economic matters, you simply cannot
sort of go by a week or even a month but we hope that the situation
will improve and our partners in trade and other business activities
abroad will be reassured and will continue to do normal businesses with
Pakistan.
* Asked if Kashmir problem was discussed with the Foreign
Minister of Germany, the Spokesman said:
There was an exchange of views relating to relations
between Pakistan and India and in that context the question of Kashmir
is also came up. Of course, we stated our position and naturally there
is desire on the part of international community, including Germany,
that this problem should get resolved.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-47.htm
"It
is almost comical that Afghanistan is this very minute being showered
by bombs and wheat simultaneously; the coalition may understand the
difference between the "bad" Afghanistan and the "good" Afghans needing
humanitarian assistance. The cave-age Afghans, without communication
luxuries including satellite, television or radio will not understand
the subtle nuances here."
-- Syed Imtiaz Hussain
Gilani, Minister for Information, North West frontier Province, October
18, 2001
"There
will be an international outrage if any country uses biological weapons.
It is a matter of concern for all the international community including
Pakistan… We hope after US removes all sanctions imposed on Pakistan
on Wednesday, normal economic relations between the two countries will
be fully restored… We only have reservations that if one group imposes
itself or any effort to impose a group in Afghanistan is made, it would
be a mistake."
-- Riaz Mohammed Khan,
Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, October 18, 2001
"India
is seeking to gain attention in wake of September 11 events, but the
limit to which Indians are going, I am afraid they will have to face
the consequences… We cannot ignore completely that there have been movements
of troops in Indian-occupied Kashmir, where there are already more than
650,000 troops. After the incidents of firing, we picked troops movement,
which are far from the ordinary including movement of aircraft to forward
areas where they (Indians) normally do not go. When India tries to camouflage
that by saying that these are routine movement, that is incorrect. And,
there is a real threat here."
-- Maj-Gen Rashid Qureshi,
Director General, Inter Services Public Relations and Spokesperson for
the military regime, over Pakistan Television, October 18, 2001
"Like
other countries Pakistan is concerned over the escalation of civilian
casualties particularly that of women and children."
-- Attiya Inayatullah, Minister for
Women Development, Pakistan, October 18, 2001
"Though
the government is not against peaceful rallies, yet any attempt to create
a law and order problem will not be tolerated."
-- Spokesperson, Government
of North West frontier Province, October 17, 2001
"No
American soldier has landed in Balochistan…I have not received any information
about handing over of Balochistan's coastal airport at Pasni to the
US."
-- Amirul Mulk Mengal,
Governor, Baluchistan, October 17, 2001
Transcript of the Press Conference
Addressed by
Foreign Office Spokesman
October 17, 2001
Opening Comments
The German Foreign Minister
will be coming to Islamabad on Friday i.e. 19 October and later on 25
October we are expecting the visit of the German Chancellor. Of course,
the discussions will be relating to the situation in the region and
bilateral relations.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were
discussed during the question-answer session:
* Asked how he would evaluate
the visit of the US Secretary of State, Mr. Colin Powell with a particular
reference to his remarks on the issue of Kashmir and broad-based government
in Afghanistan, the Spokesman said:
As regards the remarks
of the US Secretary of State on Kashmir, he said that Kashmir is central
to relations between Pakistan and India. He also added that this issue
should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri
people. We appreciate the reaffirmation by the US Secretary of State
of the position relating to centrality of Kashmir to Pakistan – India
relations. His remarks are that one can expect from any fair-minded
person. We think that the United Nations and the United States, which
are playing such an important role against terrorism, certainly can
also play a similar role in addressing and resolving the international
problems which pose danger to regional and international peace and security.
Regarding Afghanistan,
there was convergence of views i.e. that there ought to be a broad-based
government in Afghanistan, representative of all segments of Afghan
population, which can bring peace and stability to that war-torn country.
* Asked as to how a broad-based
government in Afghanistan could emerge, the Spokesman said:
The question of how this
broad-based government will come about will depend primarily on the
interaction and consultations which are taking place among the Afghans
themselves. From the outside, first and foremost the efforts of the
UN Secretary General are very important. Apart from that the neighbours
are very keen that they should be in a position to promote this process.
It is extremely difficult to talk about in terms of time lines in this
process, and we only hope that the process will move fast and lead to
a resolution of the Afghanistan situation as soon as possible.
* To another question on
the subject, the Spokesman said:
In the current circumstances
there is a greater need for more intensified efforts on the part of
the international community to achieve that end. There is an international
consensus that the remedy of the malaise in Afghanistan lies in the
establishment of a broad-based government, which is representative of
all segments of Afghan population and ethnic groups etc.
As far as the Taleban
are concerned, we have stated the established policy of the Government
of Pakistan since 1947, on so many occasions. The policy had been that
we maintain relations with whosoever controlled Afghanistan and Kabul.
As regards the position on a broad based government, we did not detract
from this position during the past several years when Taleban controlled
Kabul and most of Afghanistan. This position is also maintained in the
various international resolutions about a broad-based government which
can bring about national reconciliation, stability and peace in Afghanistan.
We have the greatest stake to this end because only in that case, more
than three millions Afghan refugees would be able to return to their
country.
* When his attention was
drawn to rumors going around about the visit of the Taleban Foreign
Minister to Pakistan and his meetings with important personalities,
and whether that reflected that moderate Taleban were defecting the
regime, the Spokesman said:
That is only speculation.
I had yesterday had the opportunity of denying very categorically, and
as far as my information is concerned this is merely speculation. Mr.
Mutawakal is not in Pakistan. It has also been denied by the Afghan
Embassy in Islamabad.
As regards your reference
to hardliners and moderates, this is difficult to identify. But, this
is something which can be said about any political dispensation.
* Asked if former King
Zahir Shah was also not an outsider in the given Afghan scenario, the
Spokesman said:
Mr. Zahir Shah is an Afghan.
He had been an Afghan monarch for a very long time. For us to say that
he is an outsider would be very wrong. If an Afghan says that that would
be his point of view. But certainly it would not be fair for any outsider
– Pakistani or any other-- to describe him as an outsider. He has always
remained an important figure, though in the background. In the current
circumstances he has, however, gained prominence and has been instrumental
in the formation of a 120-member Afghan Council. How much progress that
Council would make, is really difficult pre-judge. But that remains
an important initiative. You are also aware that his 3-member delegation,
led by Mr. Arsala is also in Pakistan. They have met the President,
the Foreign Minister and are also meeting the Afghans here. Former King
Zahir Shad has sent a message of goodwill to the President and the people
of Pakistan reassuring that he always had goodwill towards the people
of Pakistan.
* When asked to give more
details about the Rabita Trust and whether there had been any further
input from the United States with regard to Al-Rasheed Trust, the Spokesman
stated:
The Rabita Trust was established
for repatriation of stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh. A fund was created
to which even Pakistan contributed to the tune of about 50 million rupees.
The money was not, however, disbursed except for some expenditure on
construction of houses in Mian Channu during early 1990s for repatriated
stranded Pakistanis from Bangladesh. Otherwise this fund remained in-operational.
We have now decided to have audit of this temporarily frozen account,
by international auditors. Once that exercise is completed and we have
some findings by the auditors, which we are not pre-judging, then we
would take some decision for the future course of action.
We are also looking into
the affairs of Al-Rasheed Trust, that why this organization, which basically
has been involved with charity work to help the Afghan refugees, has
been placed on the list. Apart from the already received information
that people involved with Al-Rasheed Trust may have some linkages with
Al-Qaeda, we have known nothing else.
* When his attention was
drawn to a statement of the US Secretary of State given in New Delhi
that they would not differentiate between terrorism going on in different
parts of the world including Srinagar, the Spokesman stated:
I have seen the press conference
by Mr. Colin Powell in New Delhi. What he said is that they did not
differentiate in one act of terrorism and another act of terrorism.
Yes, he mentioned Srinagar. You would recall that Pakistan had also
condemned what happened in Srinagar as an act of terrorism. We, of course,
also said that India uses these kind of incidents to malign Pakistan
and the Kashmir freedom struggle.
The timings of such incidents
are noteworthy. You would recall that there was incident of Chitti Singpura
when President Clinton visited the region and there were no impartial
investigations about that. Then this particular act in Srinagar took
place when Indian Foreign Minister was in Washington and was used by
the Indian Media to malign Pakistan. Another similar act which turned
out to be farcical later was the hijacking episode. Earlier, there was
the incident of Amarnath Yatra. No investigations were undertaken on
the pretext that any such action would be demoralizing the Indian Security
Forces. So we find some kind of a sinister pattern in these incidents.
Only two days ago the Indians
attacked some of our posts along the LoC and the Working Boundary on
the pretext of hitting so-called terrorists camps, and they ended up
with killing a 19-year old girl, injuring about 25 persons and damaging
a number of houses in the area. This time, of course, there is a difference.
There is a large number of international media in Pakistan and they
were taken to the LoC and the other affected areas to expose the Indian
lies. These things continue to happen and reflect hostility which India
has demonstrated from time to time towards Pakistan.
On our part, we want de-escalation,
reduction of tensions and would continue to maintain our policy of exercising
maximum restraint along the Line of Control and elsewhere. You would
recall that the Indian Foreign Minister, in response to our Foreign
Minister’s telephone call after 11 September events, had stated that
India would not add to the complexities of the situation. But this incident
which took place two days ago runs counter to that statement.
* Asked as to how Pakistan
saw the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, whether the division of the
state, autonomy or accession to Pakistan, the Spokesman said:
The international legality
on Kashmir is determined by the UN Security Council resolutions and
the Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India. According to Simla Agreement,
we have the right to invoke those resolutions and our own position continues
to be based on the resolutions of the Security Council, which unless
implemented cannot be wished away. This international legality is based
on one sacrosanct principle of the UN Charter i.e. the principle of
right to self-determination. Therefore, the moral under-pinnings of
Pakistan’s position are that the solution should be in accordance with
the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
* At this stage Major General
Rashid Qureshi, Director General ISPR joined the Spokesman and gave
out the following statement:
We have information wherein
India has moved some troops and relocated some air force assets which
may prove to be a threat. This action, when seen in the context of irresponsible
remarks of the newly appointed Defence Minister and also the unprovoked
firing that they resorted to two days earlier against civilians in Azad
Kashmir as well as across the working boundary, has become a cause of
concern.
The Pakistan Armed Forces
are fully alive to the situation and are on a high state of alert, ready
to thwart any attempt at mischief or misadventure. It has been made
amply clear by the Government of Pakistan on more than one occasions
that while the world attention remain focused on events in Afghanistan,
no-one would be allowed to exploit the situation to undertake any hostile
or belligerent action against Pakistan. Pakistan Armed Forces reserve
the right to respond or retaliate appropriately to any act of aggression
by India.
May be the demonstrations
organized by some extremist elements in the recent past have conveyed
an impression or weakness in Pakistan. Let me assure the Indians that
Pakistanis come together whenever a threat emanates against the country.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-45.htm
"If
the Afghan refugees live peacefully in the province then they can stay
here, otherwise they would be deported… Indeed, we will take action
against Afghans, who will take part in the agitation, as we have arrested
113 Afghan refugees out of a total of 262 alleged miscreants on October
8 and 9…This is the clear message. We are not in a position to host
more refugees…Pakistan is a peace-loving country. So, Pakistan is left
with no option but to join the hand of world community for the security
and solidarity of the country."
-- Amirul Mulk Mengal,
Governor, Balochistan, October 16, 2001
Transcript of the Joint Press
Conference
Addressed by
United States Secretary of State Colin Powell and
Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf
Islamabad, October 16, 2001
Following is the text
of the statements made by Remarks by President Pervez Musharraf and
US Secretary of State Colin Powell as well as their jonit press conference.
PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF: (In
Arabic: In the name of God most merciful and compassionate). Ladies
and gentlemen, I welcome you to this press conference. Let me say that
we have had very useful discussions. The visit of the UnitedStates Secretary
of State comes at a time of great challenge for Pakistan. Hispresence
here symbolizes the new, rejuvenated relationship between Pakistan andthe
United States. We discussed a whole range of bilateral issues. The two
sides agreed to work together in order to develop and strengthen cooperation
inall possible areas.
The terrorist outrage in
New York and Washington on 11th September was rightly condemned by the
whole world community. The government and people of Pakistan spontaneously
expressed shock and grief over the death of innocent people, offered
condolences to the bereaved families all over the world, and affirmed
solidarity with the American people.
We joined the world community
in offering cooperation to bring perpetrators, organizers, and the sponsors
of the terrorist attacks to justice. Compliance with the relevant United
Nations Security Council resolutions by the Taliban government would
have saved Afghanistan from the damage it is suffering since 7th of
October. We grieve for the innocent victims in Afghanistan. We regret
that the Government of Afghanistan jeopardized the interests of millions
of its own people. Our decision to support the international campaign
against terrorism in all its manifestations is based on principles.
The extraordinary session
of the OIC [Organization of the Islamic Conference] Foreign Ministers
held on the 10th of October has endorsed this position taken by Pakistan.
It has also denounced the minority and fringe voices that tried to cause
harm to Islam and the Muslims. I emphasized to the Secretary that the
root causes of most acts of terrorism lie in political oppression and
denial of justice. In order to achieve durable peace or durable results,
the current war on terrorism must address and eliminate its root causes.
The situation in Afghanistan
presents a challenge as well as an opportunity. We should focus not
only on combating terrorism, but also on helping the Afghans establish
a durable political system and the rehabilitation and reconstruction
of their country. We agreed that durable peace in Afghanistan would
only be possible through the establishment of abroad-based multi-ethnic
government representing the demographic contours of Afghanistan freely
chosen by the Afghans without outside interference. Former King Zahir
Shah, political leaders, moderate Taliban leaders, elements from the
Northern Alliance, tribal elders, Afghans living outside their country,
all can play a role in this regard.
The political process needs
to be placed on a fast track in order to forestall the possibility of
a political vacuum. It should not lag behind the fast-moving events
in the military field nor should any attempt be made by any warring
faction to impose itself on Afghanistan in the wake of the military
strikes against the Taliban.
The success of any political
process will also depend on the economic conditions. Afghanistan has
been destroyed by over two decades of conflict. The socioeconomic infrastructure
has been devastated. Agriculture is in ruins. Pastures have been destroyed.
Millions of mines litter thelandscape. A massive reconstruction effort
is required to revive the economy. Assistance would also be required
for the repatriation of the millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan
and Iran and for the millions of Afghans displaced internally due to
fighting, drought, and economic difficulties.
A durable political settlement,
economic reconstruction, and return of Afghans to their country would
also eliminate the terrorists who have found safe havens in awar-torn
Afghanistan. This is why I believe that the military campaign in Afghanistan
should be short and targeted and it should be followed immediately by
application of viable political and economic strategies.
I briefed Secretary Powell
about Pakistan's desire to develop tension-free relations with India.
I emphasized that normalization of relations would require that the
Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri
people. Kashmir remains at the heart of Pakistan-India tension. We agreed
on the need for the two sides to address this and other bilateral issues
with sincerity and with a sense of purpose. Secretary Powell informed
me about US willingness to play a helpful role in the resolution of
Pakistan-India differences. We agreed that peace and stability in South
Asia is not only in the interest of Pakistan and India but also of the
entire region and the world at large. In the end, I would like to say
that we have ushered in an era of closer bilateral relations between
Pakistan and the United States. Thank you very much.
SECRETARY POWELL: Thank
you very much, Mr. President. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I
am delighted to be here in Pakistan and I've had very excellent discussions
with the President and his cabinet and other colleagues in the course
of the morning and our discussions will continue into the afternoon.
President Bush asked me
to come to Pakistan to demonstrate our enduring commitment to our relationship
with Pakistan. We are focusing today on the terrorist threat emanating
from Afghanistan, the Al-Qa'ida organization and Osama bin Laden. But
we didn't stop there. We are also looking forward to strengthening our
cooperation on a full range of bilateral and regional issues.
And I made the point to
the President that this isn't just a temporary spike in our relationship,
but we believe, as a result of the actions taken by Pakistan over the
last five weeks, we're truly at the beginning of a strengthened relationship,
a relationship that will grow and thrive in the months and years ahead.
We have had good talks
today on how to build on our current, excellent cooperation against
international terrorism. The United States views that what we are building
here is, as I just said, is a solid foundation for a long-term and improved
relationship. I expressed our thanks to President Musharraf for his
bold and courageous actions as part of the global coalition against
international terrorism. I also expressed our condolences for the many
Pakistanis who were lost in the attacks on September 11.
It reminds us once again
that this attack in New York and the attacks in Washington and what
happened in Pennsylvania, but especially in New York, was an attack
against the civilized world. Some 80 nations lost citizens in that attack
and we must always keep that uppermost in mind. I expressed our thanks
to President Musharraf for coming forward so quickly and recognizing
that the attacks of September 11 may have taken place on American soil,
but they were in fact attacks on Pakistan as well as all members of
the civilized world. As we met today in Pakistan--a great Muslim nation--I
reiterated that we have no quarrel with the Islamic faith or the Afghan
people.
Our campaign is against
those who pervert a great religion in the service of evil. We also discussed
how to ease the plight of the Afghan refugees who are fleeing Taliban
misrule. Pakistan has played a leading role in receiving and caring
for Afghan refugees for many, many years and the United States has been
the largest foreign donor of humanitarian aid.
Even today as part of our
military campaign, U.S. planes have been dropping badly needed food
supplies to the Afghan people. We also discussed, as the President noted,
our mutual interest in a stable Afghanistan. I shared with him and he
shared with me our thoughts on how to begin the process of rebuilding
Afghanistan even as the military element of our strategy continues and
how to help the people of that country establish a stable broad-based
government, one that does not harbor terrorists and one that welcomes
refugees instead of producing them.
I also reassured Pakistan
of America's support and the support of the international community
as Pakistan joins the international community in this campaign. For
example, President Bush has lifted a number of sanctions to allow us
to resume cooperation with Pakistan. We have also helped reschedule
379 million dollars in Pakistan's bilateral debt and voted for new IMF
loans.
We had a very straightforward
discussion on the debt problem that is facing Pakistan and I have told
the President that I would take his strong message of what needs to
be done back to my colleagues in Washington and do everything we can
to address the debt issue with rescheduling, with respect to other activities
that we can take that will help Pakistan in this time of need.
Finally, we discussed ways
to promote stability in South Asia, which we all know is a critically
important part of the world. I praised President Musharraf's recent
phone call to Prime Minister Vajpayee and we, too, believe that the
Kashmir issue is central to the relationship and can be resolved if
all parties engaged with a willingness to address their concerns in
mutually acceptable ways.
Issues must be resolved
through peaceful, political and diplomatic means, not through violence
and reliance on force, but with a determined respect for human rights.
The campaign against Al-Qa'ida and Osama bin Laden and those who harbor
them is our top priority. This is what brought me here today. But I
am also confident that over time we will be able to expand our cooperation
to accomplish the full range of bilateral and multilateral issues that
are of importance to both of our nations. President Musharraf's commitment
to return Pakistan to democracy will enhance his effort to deepen social
reform, improve education, and improve the lives of his people. We share
those important and lofty goals and in the coming months the United
States will take concrete steps to strengthen Pakistan's economy and
further broaden our commercial and trade ties.
To get her we can accomplish
great things and the American people look forward to the challenge of
working with the people of Pakistan in those goal achievements. And
I'll be happy along with the President to take a few questions.
QUESTION: While condemning
terrorism of September 11 and expressing heartfelt sympathies with your
great country, I wish to know your views about the struggle of the oppressed
people granted by the United Nations Security Council against oppressive
regimes which is fairly and sternly still engaged in state terrorism.
How would you differentiate such legitimate movements with terrorism?
My clear reference is toward dispute of Kashmir and will you impress
upon India to refrain from state terrorism towards the Kashmiri people?
Thank you.
SECRETARY POWELL: In my
conversations both here and my conversations in India, I will press
upon both sides as I have here already today and it isn't a matter of
pressing, we have a mutual view on this, that dialogue between the two
sides is important, that terrorism has no place in the civilized world
and I have expressed my thanks to the President for his condemnation
of terrorism with the kind that we saw in Srinagar on the 1st of October.
Mutual respect for each other, a desire to accommodate the aspirations
of the Kashmiri people and respect for avoiding confrontation and understanding
that provocation is to be avoided. But above all, the beginning of a
dialogue between the two sides is the most important thing that is needed
now. And that is the message I will also be taking to India.
QUESTION: Could you please
clarify the situation of . . . there have been a couple of different
stories. One is the Taliban's Foreign Minister has defected, the second
one is that there is an offer on the table presented by the President
last night to you that the Taliban are prepared to hand over Osama bin
Laden in exchange of two or three days of halting of the bombardment.
Can you tell us if there is any other offer on the table that could
resolve this?
SECRETARY POWELL: The President
did not say that to me last night. And with respect to where the foreign
minister is, I cannot confirm where he is.
QUESTION: Secretary Powell,
what assurances were you able to offer President Musharraf that any
post-Taliban government in Afghanistan would be one that is friendly
to Pakistan and did you meet with the representatives who are here representing
Zahir Shah in the meeting with the Pakistani Government and for President
Musharraf, are you prepared to support a U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan
as long as it lasts--as long as the U.S. believes it needs to last-in
other words, is there a deadline that's in your mind for such a campaign?
SECRETARY POWELL: I did
not meet with the representatives of the King who are here. With respect
to your first question, in our discussions there was no doubt that both
our common goal of seeing that the post-Taliban government in Kabul
would be one that represented all the people of Afghanistan and would
be a regime that would obviously be friendly to all of its neighbors,
to include Pakistan. That has to be one of our goals, otherwise we are
just creating a new situation of instability and potential violence.
PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF: On
my part of the question, we have decided to be with the coalition in
the fight against terrorism and whatever operation is going on in Afghanistan
within the parameters-within the three parameters which have been enunciated--that
is, the intelligence cooperation, use of air space and logistical support.
And to this extent we will certainly carry on cooperating as long as
the operation lasts. There are no deadlines which have been fixed as
you've indicated, but one really hopes that the operation is short and
obviously the duration of the operation is relative to the achievement
of military objectives and therefore one hopes that military objectives
are achieved and the operation is short.
QUESTION: President Musharraf,
may I ask what you mean by "moderate Taliban." Is there such a thing?
Mr. Secretary, does the United States agree that a moderate Taliban
belongs in a new Afghanistan?
PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF: Certainly
there are a lot of moderate Talibans. Yes, I certainly believe so. Extremism
is not in every Taliban so one could...I wouldn't like to get into the
details of who are moderates, but one knows for sure there are many
moderate elements within the Taliban community.
SECRETARY POWELL: The term
"Taliban" defines the current regime but also defines a group of individuals-a
group of people. And if you got rid of the regime, there would still
be those who might find that the teachings and the feelings and the
beliefs of that movement still very important and to the extent that
they are willing to participate in the development of a new Afghanistan
with everybody being represented, then we would have to listen to them
or at least take them into account. You can't export them. You can't
send them to another country. You can't ethnically cleanse Afghanistan
after this is over, but you can certainly get rid of this particular
regime that has driven this country to such devastation and see whether
those who used to be adherents of such a regime are now willing to participate
in a different kind of government where the rights of all are respected
and where it is accepted by the international community.
QUESTION: Our president
has advised you or given the proposal that this operation against Afghanistan
should be short and should be target-oriented and Pakistan has also
concerns about Northern Alliance being included in the broad-based government
that you are looking for. What are your comments on this?
SECRETARY POWELL: First
of all we would like the military campaign to be as short as possible.
We have no desire to extend the campaign beyond the achievement of its
goal. As the President said it has to be as long as necessary to achieve
the military goal. With respect to the Northern Alliance, I think we
both agree that all, all elements have to be included in discussions
of the future of Afghanistan that would include the Northern Alliance,
and the southern tribal leaders and all elements. When you say broad
based it means all have to have an opportunity to participate in how
Afghanistan will be governed in the future.
QUESTION: President Musharraf,
your country according to a Gallup Poll and certainly the symptoms on
the street is very much against the U.S.-led campaign, 87 per cent against
the military strikes. How can you sustain your support if this does
become an open-ended commitment and it is not short and targeted as
you and I'm sure Secretary Powell would like it to be. What if it does
take along time as many US military officials have projected?
PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF: First
of all, I would like to say that the results of polls ought to be taken
with a little bit of pinch of salt because it depends of how you address
the question and you get the results accordingly. However, having said
that, one would like to say, certainly majority of the people are against
the operation in Afghanistan. They would like to see this operation
to be terminated as fast as possible and that is what I would urge the
coalition--to achieve the military objectives and terminate the operation.
However, one more factor that needs to be taken into account, the majority
of the people of Pakistan are with my government's action. That also
is a result of the same Gallup Poll that you are talking of. So may
be you have to analyze both parts and see which one features where.
There is a degree of dichotomy in the results of each question.
QUESTION: A question for
Secretary Powell. You have expressed thanks for the "bold and courageous
actions" as you put it of President Musharraf, at the same time the
United States has frozen the assets of a major charity, the Rabita charity,
and there are hundreds of schools teaching young boys in this country
that Osama bin Laden is a hero. How can you win a war against terrorism
if children and young men are being taught that Osama bin Laden is a
role model?
SECRETARY POWELL: I think
it's false teaching. What kind of a role model is it to be someone who
invades another country, helps destroy it, uses it for evil purposes
and then goes out murders innocent civilians, claims he is doing that
on the basis of his faith that provides for no such action on the part
of anyone. So it is false teaching. I am confident that as Pakistan
moves forward it will put in place an education system that will teach
respect for all faiths, that will be balanced and will be concerned
as much about educating youngsters for a bright future as it will about
teaching them false lessons about evil people.
PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF: I
would like to chip in with whatever the secretary has said and I totally
agree with him. I think these are extremist views and these are extremist
tendencies which are not wide based at all in Pakistan and therefore
we need to take deeper actions, long term actions to check such extremist
views.
QUESTION: You have spoken
a lot about a post-Taliban Afghanistan. How close do you think the regime
is to collapsing?
SECRETARY POWELL: I don't
know and I think it best not to speculate. I think the regime is under
enormous pressure. Every neighbor that it has, has turned against it.
It is the subject of the efforts of the entire international community
to go after its finances. There is also a military campaign being directed
against it and there are forces inside the country that are operating
against it. So it is under enormous pressure but I cannot tell you when
that pressure will cause it to collapse. Just can't put a time line
on it.
QUESTION: Do you see any
anecdotal evidence about what you are seeing in Taliban forces?
SECRETARY POWELL: There
is anecdotal evidence that some of the leaders are defecting and that
some of the provinces have shifted allegiance. But it doesn't yet paint
a complete picture that I can have confidence in.
QUESTION: President Musharraf,
the objective, you have said you would like to have achieved it quickly
to gain what objective? You would like the action carried out to be
terminated quickly to gain what objective?
PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF: No,
I wouldn't like to get into the details of the military implementation
or the military operation. But this is in the realm of the military
action that you certainly need to identify the military objectivesto
be achieved and then push through those objectives through military
action. I wouldn't like to get into the details of what military objectives
specifically are.
Thank you.
Source: The News, October
17, 2001
Statement by President Pervez
Musharraff
on the Visit of US Secretary of State Colin Powell
at the Joint Press Conference,
Islamabad
October 16, 2001
We have had very useful
discussions. The visit of the US Secretary of State comes at a time
of great challenge for Pakistan. His presence here symbolises the new,
rejuvenated relationship between Pakistan and the United States. We
discussed a whole range of bilateral issues. The two sides agreed to
work together in order to develop and strengthen cooperation in all
areas.
The terrorist outrage in
New York and Washington on 11 September was rightly condemned by the
world community. The Government and people of Pakistan spontaneously
expressed shock and grief over the death of innocent people, offered
condolences to the bereaved families and affirmed solidarity with the
American people. We joined the world community in offering cooperation
to bring perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of the terrorist attacks
to justice.
Compliance with the relevant
UN Security Council resolutions by the Taliban government would have
saved Afghanistan from the damage it is suffering since 7 October. We
grieve for the innocent victims. We regret that the Government of Afghanistan
jeopardized the interests of millions of its people. Our decision to
support the international campaign against terrorism in all its manifestations
is based on principles. The extraordinary session of the OIC Foreign
Ministers held on 10th of October has endorsed this position. It has
also denounced the minority and fringe voices that try to cause harm
to Islam and the Muslims.
I emphasized to Secretary
Powell that the root causes of most acts of terrorism lie in political
oppression and denial of justice. In order to achieve durable results,
the current war on terrorism must address and eliminate its causes.
The situation in Afghanistan
presents a challenge and an opportunity. We should focus not only on
combating terrorism but also on helping the Afghans establish a durable
political system and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of their
country.
We agreed that durable
peace in Afghanistan would only be possible through the establishment
of a broad-based, multi-ethnic government representing the demographic
contours of Afghanistan, freely chosen by the Afghans without out interference.
Former King Zahir Shah, political leaders, moderate Taliban leaders,
elements from the Northern Alliance, tribal elders, Afghans living outside
their country, all can play a role in this regard. The political process
needs to be placed on a fast track in order to forestall the possibility
of a political vacuum. It should not lagg behind the fast moving events
in the military field. Nor should any attempt be made by any warring
faction to impose itself on Afghanistan in the wake of the military
strikes against the Taliban.
The success of any political
process will also depend on economic conditions. Afghanistan has been
destroyed by over two decades of conflict. The socio-economic infrastructure
has been devastated Agriculture is in ruins. Pastures have been destroyed
Millions of mines litter the landscape. A massive reconstruction effort
is required to revive the economy. Assistance would also be required
for the repatriation of the millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan
and Iran, and for the millions of Afghans displaced internally due to
fighting, drought and economic difficulties.
A durable political settlement,
economic reconstruciton and return of Afghans to their country would
also eliminate the terrorists who have found safe havens in a war-torn
Afghanistan. That is why, I believe that the military campaign in Afghanistan
should be short and targeted and it should be followed immediately by
application of political and economic strategies.
I briefed Secretary Powell
about Pakistan’s desire to develop tension free relations with India.
I emphasized that normalization of relations would required that the
Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri
people. Kashmir remains at the heart of Pakistan-India tensions. We
agreed on the need for the two sides to address this and other bilateral
issues with sincerity and with a sense of purpose.
Secretary Powell informed
me about US willingness to play a helpful role in the resolution of
Pakistan-India differences. We agreed that peace and stability in South
Asia is not only in the interest of Pakistan and India but also of the
entire region and the world at large.
In the end I would like
to say that we have ushered in an era of closer bilateral relations
between Pakistan and USA.
Islamabad, 16 October
2001.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/PR01-184.htm
"You
will have to have the new government in that country which is multi-ethnic
and represents all the factions."
-- Maj. Gen. Rashid
Qureshi, Director General, Inter Services public Relations, and Spokesperson
for the military regime, Pakistan, October 15, 2001
"I
think the longer this operation lasts, greater the collateral damage
and the larger the number of Afghan refugees that enter Pakistan, greater
will be the worry and concern in Pakistan."
-- Abdul Sattar, Foreign
Minister, Pakistan, October 15, 2001
"We
have to be absolutely sure that the future political set up in Kabul
can only be based on broad- based dispensation and not one in which
the core-a small minority like the Tajeks…We are routed in history.,
culture and in family terms. So it is normal for Pakistan to have interest
in a neighboring Muslim country. But the support of Pakistan has always
been a concept of based, table Afghanistan, neutral, non-aligned and
stable. And Pakistan has therefore total interest whichever government
has come in Afghanistan, even when a Tajek government was sitting in
Kabul."
-- Ahmed Kamal, Ambassador
of Pakistan to the United Nations, October 15, 2001
Transcript
of the Press Conference
Addressed by
Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman
October 15, 2001
There was no statement
made in the beginning and the press briefing opened with the question-answer
session.
QUESTION - ANSWER
SESSION:
The following issues
were discussed during the question-answer session:
* When his comments were
sought on the reported visit of former King Zahir Shah’s Special Envoy
Mr. Arsala to Islamabad, the Spokesman said:
Yes, he is in Pakistan.
He is accompanied by two of his colleagues Mr. Sherzoi and Mr. Khaliq.
He would be having discussions with senior officials and Foreign Minister
and call on the President. The context of the discussions would, of
course, be the situation in Afghanistan and the effort which has been
intensified by the United Nations for promoting a broad-based government
in Afghanistan.
* To a couple of questions
that the Taleban Foreign Minister Mr. Mutawakil had visited Islamabad
or had defected and was reportedly in Islamabad, the Spokesman said
that all those reports were speculative. "I have enquired from
all concerned people, there is no such development", he added.
* To a question with
regard to a broad-based government in Afghanistan and the continuous
effort by the international community in that direction, the Spokesman
said:
It has been consistent
position of Pakistan that we support the establishment of a broad-based
government in Afghanistan, which can bring peace and stability to
that country. This is something which UN Secretary General’s Special
Envoy has been working on for quite some time. The OIC has also been
supplementing those efforts which, of course, have been supported
by Pakistan.
* Asked how Pakistan
would feel about the Northern Alliance taking up the government in
Afghanistan, the Spokesman said:
On the question of Northern
Alliance, our position has been that any effort for a group or the
outsiders to impose a group on Afghanistan will not help the situation
there. There may be people who may not remember but we being a neighbour
have some experience. We have seen that such scenario in the past
has never been helpful rather it complicated the situation. So if
again we see a situation where one group, who is not representative
of the population of Afghanistan, has been imposed, it is not going
to bring peace and stability in that country.
Regardless of objectives
that others may be pursuing, for Pakistan it is important that there
should be peace and stability in Afghanistan. Because we are Afghanistan’s
neighbour, we have more than three millions Afghan refugees on our
soil. So we have all the interests on the earth to see that there
is peace and stability in Afghanistan.
* Asked if the question
of killings of innocent civilians in Afghanistan would also be discussed
during the visit of US Secretary of State, Mr. Colin Powell, the Spokesman
said:
Surely as regards the
civilian causalities, we have expressed our deep sorrow, sadness and
grief. We have always emphasized that in the fight against terrorism
care must be taken that innocent people do not suffer. We have also
noted that the US has expressed regrets over the loss of civilian
lives. We will again emphasize that targets should be clearly focused
in the campaign and that there should be care to avoid civilian causalities.
Prolongation of the operation will also be a source of concern for
us. All aspects of the Afghan situation as well as the present campaign
will come under discussion with US Secretary of State Mr. Colin Powell.
* Asked how he would
differentiate between the killings of 11 September in the United States
and the ongoing causalities of innocent people in Afghanistan. Whether
America was not carrying out state terrorism against Afghanistan,
the Spokesman said:
We are deeply saddened
by these killings of innocent civilians. The United States itself
has regretted these killings. The differentiation that needs to be
maintained is that if there is a deliberate act directed to destroy
innocent civilians that is terrorism and condemnable, but if the purpose
is to target the people considered to be responsible for the acts
of terrorism, the position will be different.
* When his comments were
sought on a reported statement of the Foreign Minister of Pakistan
that Pakistan would ask the United States to stop bombardment on Afghanistan
so that Northern Alliance should not take advantage and capture the
Taleban territory, the Spokesman said:
I wonder whether you
are quoting the Foreign Minister correctly; but nonetheless, on the
question of Northern Alliance we have made our position very clear.
If I am not quoting incorrectly, the Northern Alliance has itself
said that they would like to wait for a broad-based government to
be promoted by the United Nations rather than jumping the gun and
trying to push for Kabul.
* Asked whether the Northern
Alliance was not a lawful ruler of Afghanistan in the eyes of the
international community as the Alliance was occupying Afghanistan’s
seat in the UN, and that way the United States would encourage rather
urge them to take over Kabul, the Spokesman said:
The question of who occupies
a particular seat in UN is a technical matter. But there are resolutions
of the UN General Assembly and also of the Security Council calling
for the promotion and establishment of a broad-based government in
Afghanistan. Then the 6+2 process has also in its declaration and
resolutions again and again called for the establishment of a broad-based
government. So we have to keep the technical question of who is representing
on the seat of the United Nations separate from what is the demand
and the desire of the international community, as expressed through
the UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. They all
are for the establishment of a broad-based government which can bring
national reconciliation, peace and stability in Afghanistan.
* To a question on Pakistan’s
position with regard to foreign journalists going to Afghanistan,
the Spokesman said:
The government of Pakistan
would have to take action against all those journalists who try to
go inside Afghanistan without proper documentations and without the
concurrence of their governments. Because what happened in the past,
certain journalists crossed over to Afghanistan, and when caught their
governments came and requested us to do something. We are not really
in a position to do a great deal. Therefore, the decision of the government
is that a journalist tried to go into Afghanistan without proper documents
then visas of their associates in Pakistan would be cancelled. They
would be asked to go back to their country.
* Asked as to how he
would define "prolonged campaign" against Afghanistan, the
Spokesman said:
What I said is that the
prolongation of military operation will be a source of concern to
us. Because with the prolongation of the campaign you can also expect
mishaps, in which innocent lives may be lost, and certainly nobody
in Pakistan or in the United States would like to see that happen.
Therefore, there is a certain desire on the part of everybody that
military operations should be short and should not prolong beyond
what is necessary. And as to what is necessary, the question should
be addressed to the Americans.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-44.htm
"Why
do the leaders of religious parties recruit young men and send them
off to the front line in Afghanistan without proper training."
-- Moinuddin Haider,
Interior Minister, Pakistan, October 14, 2001
"I think the longer
this operation lasts, the greater the damage, collateral damage… And
the larger the number of Afghan refugees that enter Pakistan, the
greater will be the worry and concern in Pakistan… At this time for
the minority ethnic group in the Northeast to march down to the south,
capture Kabul, will destabilise an already volatile situation…We have
nothing against the Northern Alliance. The question really is that
there should be a balance, namely that the ethnic communities should
be represented in the future government… If the government needs the
presence of foreign forces under the umbrella of the United Nations,
I think it should be the duty of one of us to help them. Whether they
are all Islamic forces or not is a different matter."
-- Abdul Sattar, Foreign
Minister, Pakistan October 14, 2001
"It is in the
knowledge of entire world that the ongoing freedom movement in Kashmir
has no link with Afghanistan."
-- Major General Rashid
Qureshi, Director General, Inter Services Public Relations and spokesperson
for the military regime, October 14, 2001
"The
solidarity and integrity of Pakistan should be our top most priority
and all our thinking as well acts should very obviously reflect our
immense love for Pakistan in its true spirit."
-- Lt. Gen. (Retd.)
Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, Governor, North West Frontier Province,
October 14, 2001
Transcript
of the Press Conference
Addressed
By
Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman
October 13, 2001
There was no statement
made in the beginning and the press briefing opened with the question-answer
session.
QUESTION - ANSWER
SESSION:
* When his attention
was drawn to reports that some kind of differences had emerged between
the Government of Pakistan and the UNHRC on establishment of refugee
camps, the Spokesman said:
I think the Minister
for States and Frontier Regions and Kashmir Affairs has already responded
to this report which has been published in detail. He has said that
we are trying to be as helpful as possible under the circumstances
to facilitate the work of the UNHCR which we greatly appreciate. This
is a major humanitarian effort to help the Afghan refugees. But in
terms of contingency plans and the areas which have to be marked for
refugee camps etc, we have tried to take the best possible decisions,
given all the constraints. It should be quite understandable that
it is not possible for the government to establish camps on lands
belonging to private people. It will have to be the public property
where the government can take decisions for the establishment of such
camps.
Secondly, it is also
very clear that these camps have to be closer to the border, because
we would like these people to get back as soon as the situation normalizes
in Afghanistan. We would not like to have another massive presence
of refugees who may continue to stay in our country. We would like
to treat these people as displaced people who are in need of relief
and food. They must be provided all possible assistance while they
stay in our territory and go back as soon as the situation normalizes.
But on the top of that,
our emphasis has been that relief assistance should be provided to
the displaced Afghans inside their country. On this score we are trying
to facilitate the UN agencies to send food and other relief goods
as much as possible inside Afghanistan.
* When asked that America
had declared 39 organizations including Jaish-e-Mohammad as terrorist,
the Spokesman said:
We have received some
preliminary information from the our Embassy that Jaish-e-Mohammad
and couple of other organizations have been placed on a list leading
to the freezing of their accounts for reasons of suspected linkages
with Al-Qaeda. We are going to further look into this matter and would
see whether the kind of the advisory that the State Bank had issued
earlier in the interest of Pakistani Banks who have business abroad,
is required or not in the present situation.
There is a possibility
that the State Bank may issue the advisory and allow the Banks to
take decisions in the interest of their businesses abroad.
* Asked if it was true
that the Afghan Ambassador had gone to his country with a message
from President Musharraf, the Spokesman said:
No, he is not carrying
any message from us. Pakistan is not an intermediary but it is possible
that the Afghan Ambassador may have found it necessary to go and meet
the Afghan leadership.
* When asked to define
the logistical support that Pakistan had committed to US for the comprehension
of a layman, the Spokesman said:
As stated earlier, some
of the operations are being carried out from the Indian Ocean by the
US planes. It is quite possible in such circumstances that the planes
need to land on an air strip in an emergency situation, as they may
not be in a position to reach its base in the Indian Ocean. So that
would be a kind of an emergency situation which ought to be addressed
within the framework of logistical support. Apart from that there
is also US presence in Central Asia and the operations are expected
to be launched, if not already been launched from there. Yesterday,
I also made it very clear that there are no combat troops in Pakistan
and no operations are being launched from the territory of Pakistan.
The position remains the same.
* When his attention
was drawn to reports that national intelligence agencies in Pakistan
had been asked to stop political intelligence gathering and concentrate
wholly on terrorism, the Spokesman said:
I don't think the mandate
and the rules of business of intelligence agencies have been changed.
Certainly there is sectarian terrorism in Pakistan and we expect our
Intelligence Agencies to try to find out the people responsible for
sectarian violence in the country. I think this is not just the government
wanting them to do this job but the people in Pakistan also expect
that they should be able to hunt down terrorists inside the country,
so that this problem can be curbed and eradicated.
* To a question about
the upcoming visit of the US Secretary of State to Pakistan, the Spokesman
said:
The Secretary of State
is coming to Pakistan and will also be visiting India. This is an
important visit taking place at a very important juncture. There would
be detailed discussions with the President and the Foreign Minister
and would cover, of course, the Afghan situation as it is evolving
and would also focus on Pakistan-India relations and Kashmir which
is the root cause of tensions between the two countries and a dangerous
source of conflict in the region. This is something which is acknowledged
by the world community and was also specifically acknowledged in the
UNSC resolution of June 1998.
* As to how he assessed
the level of tension between Pakistan and India, the Spokesman stated:
The gauge of level of
tension is partly also linked to the Indian repression inside the
occupied Kashmir. You must have seen that for some time now the repression
has increased and dozens of people have been killed by the Indian
security forces. This is something which naturally agitates public
opinion in Pakistan and is a source of tension in bilateral relations
between the two countries. But at the same time on our part we have
always tried to reduce these tensions. We have offered India to resume
dialogue to address Kashmir and other issues. Our Foreign Minister
has spoken to his Indian counterpart and the later has stated that
India had no intention to add to the complexity of the situation.
Later our President spoke to Prime Minister Vajpayee and one of the
purposes was that tension between the two countries should not escalate.
Pakistan believes in de-escalation of tensions. We have invited both
the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of India to visit Pakistan
and this is up to them to decide in this regard.
We want that the Kashmir
problem should be resolved in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri
people. This is the principle which is also known as the principle
of self-determination, enshrined in the Charter of the UN, and disregard
of this principle would literally knock out the moral basis of international
legal and political structure.
* To a question about
the Rabita Trust, an organization placed on the list by the United
States recently, the Spokesman said:
We are not aware of this
organization. We have to look into the antecedents of this particular
organization. It is specifically mentioned as Lahore-based. By the
name it appears to be a charitable trust like the Al-Rasheed Trust.
We had approached the United States to provide us with the reasons
of placing Al-Rasheed on the list. One of the reasons given is that
they are suspected of linkages with Al-Qaeda.
* Asked why Pakistan
is desirous of cooperation when the US is not sensitive to our concerns
and what is the reliability of Pakistan-US friendship at present and
why US did not take Pakistan into confidence regarding operations,
the Spokesman stated:
Pakistan has always desired
a constructive, friendly and cooperative relationship with the United
States. Apart from any other reasons the US is a very important country,
and to say the least it is the second largest trading partner of Pakistan.
In terms of assistance in the past, it has been a major donor country
both in terms of direct assistance and also in terms of assistance
that we received from the international financial institutions. It
is also a country which exercises great deal of influence in world
affairs and we have vital interest at stake such as on the question
of Kashmir. We consider it important that there should be understanding
of Pakistan's point of view with the US Administration. So there should
be no doubt regarding our policy towards maintaining constructive
friendly positive cooperation with the United States.
Now coming to this question
of specific operations, we have a commitment to fight terrorism. Our
assurances of cooperation to the US were within that framework. In
greater specificities these were then defined to be relating to information
sharing, air space and logistical support. Now, we are not part of
all the operations that the United States is carrying out from its
bases from the Indian Ocean, Central Asia and elsewhere. We have no
desire and no interest in trying to be part of and privy to those
details.
But we have a position
and the position is very clear that this fight is not against Afghanistan
or the Afghan people, that this must be focused, that there must have
very clearly defined targets. There is a legitimacy to go and hunt
for the people who are responsible for 11 September terrorist acts
and to destroy their networks. But it should be done in the manner
that innocent people do not suffer. These are our broad interests
and we keep on emphasizing these interests on the United States. That
is why when the innocent lives are lost we feel pain, sorrow and regret
that. But we are also told and assured again and again that the purpose
is very focused and the campaign is not targeting civilian population
in Afghanistan. It is not targeted in any way to punish the Afghan
people or Afghanistan.
* To a question with
regard to the kind of intelligence/information which Pakistan is sharing
with the US, the Spokesman said:
A 3-member team of the
US Defence Department had come to Islamabad at the initial stages
and they basically shared information relating to whatever we could
share with them about training camps and any terrorist activities.
So that was the kind of information that we were asked to share.
* Asked as to why Pakistan
had become a champion of the idea of 'broad-based government in Afghanistan'
out of blue, the Spokesman stated:
This idea has always
been there. As long as there was conflict inside Afghanistan this
idea remained as part of the resolutions adopted by the UN and the
OIC and it was supported by Pakistan. I can show you all the resolutions
which have been adopted not just since 1994 onward, when the Taleban
advent began, but even before that because the conflict situation
inside Afghanistan. All the resolutions have consistently talked about
the need for a broad-based government which is representative of all
Afghan people and can bring about peace and stability in that country.
So this idea is not new and Pakistan's support to this idea is also
not new.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-43.htm
"It
is need of the hour to avoid demonstrations and instead contact media
for expression of views which has been given full freedom by the government."
-- Qari Roohullah
Madani, Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs, Pakistan, October
13, 2001
Transcript
of the Press Conference
Addressed
By
Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman
October 12, 2001
There was no statement
made in the beginning and the press briefing opened with the question-answer
session.
QUESTION - ANSWER
SESSION:
The following issues
were discussed during the question-answer session:
* Asked if Pakistan was
satisfied with the outcome of the Doha ICFM, the Spokesman stated:
Surely, under the circumstances
this conference has been able to achieve a consensus document which
you must have already seen. The document has, of course, condemned
the 11 September attacks. It has also condemned terrorism in all its
forms and manifestations and has reaffirmed cooperation of the Islamic
countries with the international efforts to combat terrorism within
the umbrella of the United Nations. It also recalled some of the efforts
that the OIC itself has made, like the Convention on Terrorism adopted
last year, and that convention is also before the UN for discussion
on this particular subject.
The ICFM very forcefully
rejected any sinister attempts on the part of vested interests to
create linkages between terrorism and countries with the Islamic faith,
a faith of tolerance and peace. Also in the same context the conference
welcomed the efforts made by governments in the West to avoid harm
to Muslim communities in their countries. Apart from that there was
a paragraph which stated that there must be a clear distinction between
terrorism and struggles for fundamental rights by Arabs and Muslim
peoples including the right to self-determination and right to self-defence
against aggression.
There was one paragraph
which related specifically to Afghanistan. It stated that as a consequence
of the campaign against terrorism, harm should not come to innocent
people in Afghanistan. There were concerns relating to preservation
of territorial integrity and Islamic identity of Afghanistan which
is important and that under the pretext of campaign against terrorism
no Arab or Muslim country should be targeted.
The Amir of Kuwait announced
the establishment of a fund for Afghanistan to help the Afghan refugees
and displaced Afghans inside Afghanistan. In addition there will be,
of course, contributions coming to this fund later for the purpose
of rehabilitation, resettlement and reconstruction of Afghanistan.
And there were paragraphs which affirmed the well known positions
of the OIC on the Palestinian issue. As you know there were two items
on the agenda of the ICFM; one, the situation arising from the developments
of 11 September and the issue of Palestine which is always on the
agenda of the OIC meetings.
The statement which was
to be made by our Foreign Minister, was circulated amongst the participants
because there was no general debate.
* When his attention
was drawn to a reported statement by the Interior Minister that two
airports had been offered to American forces, the Spokesman said:
I don’t think the Interior
Minister said exactly what you are mentioning. The position has already
been given out at the highest level and the President himself stated
that Pakistan has committed information sharing, air-space and logistical
support. Under the logistical support, of course, there is the question
of facilities and some contingency requirements. But here I would
like to categorically say that no operations are being initiated from
the territory of Pakistan. There are no combat troops stationed on
our territory. There are no operational plans in this connection which
have been shared with us so far.
* When his attention
was drawn to a reported statement of President Bush making a fresh
offer to the Taleban that America would stop attacks against Afghanistan
in case they decided to hand over Osma Bin Ladin, and if Pakistan
could play the role of an interlocutor in that regard, secondly, how
he viewed the on-going action against Afghanistan, the Spokesman said:
We are not acting as
interlocutors or intermediaries at present. The Taleban know the American
position very well, and they are also in a position to convey to the
United States whatever they want to say. There is a point of contact
being maintained in Islamabad, and we have already stated about the
utility of that point of contact for the world. So we do not have
any plans to be acting as intermediary between the two sides at present.
As regards your second
point, the campaign against terrorism would be quite protracted because
of the nature of the problem. But as regards Afghanistan, what we
have stated again and again, there should be clear targets. As the
United States, other allies and a number of world leaders including
the UN Secretary General have said, it should be targeted to hunt-down
and punish those who were involved in terrorist attacks of 11 September.
It is not a campaign, an attack or a fight against Afghanistan or
its people.
* Drawing his attention
to media reports emanating from various Western channels that the
US forces had succeeded to destroy the Taleban military, a correspondent
enquired if the Taleban military was also part of the plan hunting
Al-Qaeda, its network and Osma Bin Ladin, the Spokesman said:
Much before the present
action began, you must have noted that the US had repeatedly stated
that they would go for punishing the people who according to them
are responsible for terrorist attacks in New York and Washington,
and also those who harbor them. Pakistan on its part did whatever
it could to impress upon the Taleban leadership the gravity of the
situation and the dangers involved. Now the world can see what were
the dangers to which we were pointing out. That is why, we had impressed
upon the Taleban leaders to take decision which were in the best interest
of the Afghan people and Afghanistan.
Regrettably, our efforts
failed. We were not able to influence the Taleban leadership and now
we are witnessing with the sense of sorrow and sadness the developments
which are taking place. But this could be anticipated and we had done
everything within our own capability to alert and warn the Taleban
leadership about the dangers they would be faced with.
* Asked if Pakistan could
consider to open its border with Afghanistan as the Afghan people
were really in trouble in their country, the Spokesman sated:
It is a very difficult
question for us. On one hand we are pained at the plight of the Afghan
people and have a great feeling of sympathy for them. But on the other
hand we are already hosting more than three million Afghans at present,
and our capabilities and capacities are over stretched and it is extremely
difficult for us to take care of more people. The international community
is sensitive to the issue and is trying in terms of helping us to
take care of these Afghans. But so far, we have been advising that
they should provide relief assistance to the Afghans inside Afghanistan
so that they do not have to come to Pakistan.
You are also aware that
the action against Afghanistan is not indiscriminate and most parts
of the country are peaceful. So we would like that this international
assistance should reach somewhere closer to our border but inside
Afghanistan. The idea is that the people who have gathered or are
heading towards the border in search of relief and food, are provided
that inside their own country. We have been successful partly in this
effort and very large quantities of relief are being sent inside Afghanistan,
especially through the WFP.
* Asked as to why Pakistan
was not condemning the killings and destruction in Afghanistan, the
Spokesman observed:
Those acts which are
deliberately aimed at destroying innocent lives are condemnable. We
condemn them. We feel sorrow, grief, pain at the tragic loss of the
innocent lives wherever these take place. But as it is being said
to us and we are being assured again and again, that the purpose of
these actions is to target the people considered to be responsible
for the acts of terrorism, and that the actions are not targeted at
innocent people. Therefore, we express our condolences, deep feelings
of pain, sorrows and regret but we cannot condemn the acts because
those are not directed to destroy innocent lives. Those acts which
are indiscriminately directed to destroy innocent lives are condemnable.
This is the kind of the
situation against which we had alerted and cautioned the Afghan leadership
and we had done whatever we could, that they should be responsive
to what the Security Council had asked them to do. But regrettably
our efforts failed and we are witnessing the unfolding of this action
these days.
* To another related
the question, the Spokesman said:
This is a very serious
situation. Somehow for good or for bad, today countries cannot live
in isolation. They cannot withdraw into a cocoon and forget the world.
You have to be sensitive to the demands of the world and this is what
we have been impressing upon the Afghan leaders. We are no intermediaries.
Again there is a choice for the Afghan leadership to act in response
to not just what the US is saying, but what has become the decision
of the international community in the shape of Security Council resolution.
There is an international coalition and we must not forget about that.
* To a question with
regard to the UN efforts for a broad-based government in Afghanistan,
and Pakistan’s support to those efforts, the Spokesman said:
Mr.Vendrell, Special
Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan is based
in Islamabad and is constantly in touch with us and the Afghans. He
has also been in touch with the Taleban leadership. He is a pivot
for whatever are the UN efforts to bring about a broad-based government
in Afghanistan which can ensure peace and stability in that country.
Now this may prove to be an elusive objective. But this is an objective,
endorsed by all member states of the UN including Pakistan. So whatever
discussions he wishes to have with us we are available. But we are
outsiders. Any broad-based arrangement for Afghanistan will have to
emerge from the Afghans themselves. We hope that the efforts of the
international community e.g. the UN and the OIC would succeed sooner
than later.
* When his comments were
sought on different statements coming from across the border; one,
by the Indian Interior Minister who felt baffled on US seeking Pakistan’s
support to curb terrorism while ignoring what India is doing in Kashmir
and the second, by Mr. Jaswant Singh who was very much interested
in India’s role in the future shaping of things in Afghanistan, the
Spokesman stated:
As regards you second
question, the primary role for a future government in Afghanistan
is to be played only by the Afghans. In addition to them the primary
concern that any countries have with regard what happens in Afghanistan,
are the neighbours of Afghanistan because instability and turmoil
in that country has direct implications for the nighbours. Beyond
that the efforts are to be made by the international community, by
the UN and the OIC. The Islamic countries have a special concern for
Afghanistan and that is why the OIC is making efforts and those efforts
are required to be supported.
As regards your first
question, Pakistan is part of an international coalition against terrorism.
Pakistan has an important role by virtue of its location, and that
is something we do not particularly relish nor should anybody particularly
grudge. As for Kashmir, I only hope they would allow the international
media and international humanitarian organizations free access to
the occupied territory so that the world can see for itself what is
happening over there.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-42.htm
"Only
Afghan refugees along with limited number of extremists are taking
part in protests, and there is no public reaction at all… We will
not tolerate any extremists' activities aimed at damaging national
assets or national interest. Stern action would be taken against any
person involved in law-breaking activities… I find a clear understanding
and appreciation amongst the coalition partners of the need to facilitate
the installation of a broad-based political dispensation in Afghanistan
representing all ethnic groups with due consideration of their demographic
composition."
-- Pervez Musharraf,
President, Pakistan, October 10, 2001
"…
The military action will be limited to the aims identified in the
Security Council resolutions… Thanks also to the intercessions made
by other Muslim statesmen, we are relieved that the United States
and the European Union have contained the anti-Islam campaign… Our
government decided we would do whatever lay in our means to implement
the Security Council resolution of September 12, as we had decided
in respect of the resolutions on Afghanistan, namely, 1267 (of 1999)
and 1333 (of 2000)… We need to tell the world that Islam is a religion
of peace, that it considers human life sacred and that it abhors the
killing of innocent people. The eternal principles of our faith equate
murder of a single person with murder of humanity. Any one who violates
this injunction is doomed to eternal damnation. We need to explain
this urgently. Hostile lobbies have been engaged in perverse propaganda
against Islam spreading prejudice and hatred against the Muslim people.
Muslim residents in the Western countries are exposed to discrimination
and danger."
-- Abdul Sattar, Foreign
Minister, Pakistan, OIC Foreign Minister’s Meeting, October 10, 2001
Transcript
of the Press Conference
Addressed By
Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman
Riyaz Mohammad Khan,
October 10, 2001
There was no statement
made in the beginning and the press briefing opened with the question-answer
session.
QUESTION - ANSWER
SESSION:
The following issues
were discussed during the question-answer session:
* To a question about
the upcoming visit of the US Secretary of State, the Spokesman said:
Yes, the US Secretary
of State would be visiting Pakistan. The exact programme will be announced
as and when it is worked out. We welcome the visit of the Secretary
of State. It is an important visit. It is the first Cabinet level
visit from the US side and comes at an important time. Naturally,
the discussions would focus on Afghanistan. Besides that, Indo-Pakistan
relations, particularly the Kashmir question and the need for a purposeful,
result oriented Indo-Pakistan dialogue would also make up an important
part of the deliberations. The whole range of bilateral relations
between the United States and Pakistan will be discussed. Our Commerce
Minister has just been to be the US and presently the Finance Minister
is also there. The two sides are considering a whole range of measures
in economic, commercial, trade and other fields. We are maintaining
a close contact with the Congress, as well. Considering all this,
the visit is going to be very significant.
* Asked if President
Musharraf’s statement that action against Afghanistan would be short
and target oriented, had not been disputed by a comment from President
Bush who was reported to have said that the war against terrorism
would be a sustained and long-drawn affair, the Spokesman said:
As far as the military
activities are concerned, our position still remains that it should
be short and targeted to the terrorists. As regards fight against
terrorism, naturally it can be a long-drawn out affair. But that does
not necessarily mean that it would be in the form of military action.
* To a question with
regard to the likely visit of a delegation from former King Zahir
Shah to Islamabad, the Spokesman said:
Former King Zahir Shah
had expressed the desire to send a delegation to Pakistan and we had
welcomed that. However, exact date of the arrival of the delegation
and its composition have still not been communicated to us.
* When asked about the
purpose of the visit of the Afghan Ambassador to the Foreign Office
the other day, the Spokesman said:
We have constant discussions
with the Afghan authorities through their Ambassador here. As I had
mentioned yesterday their presence here is in order to provide us
an opportunity to discuss day to day matters with them. There are
several subjects that can be discussed, and he frequently visits the
Foreign Office for consultations.
* Asked if Pakistan was
in a position to stop the on-going war in Afghanistan, the Spokesman
remarked:
Pakistan has not started
this war.
* When his attention
was drawn to reactions of the various Islamic countries to the on-going
US strikes against Afghanistan, and if Pakistan could do anything
to stop that adventure, the Spokesman stated:
As you are aware, Pakistan
played its role and sent a delegation for consultations with the Afghan
authorities some time ago. It was also followed by an Ulema delegation.
It is unfortunate that those efforts could not bear any fruit and
hostility could not be avoided. Pakistan has played its role in trying
to resolve this problem.
* Asked if it was true
that Washington had not shared the actual military plans with Islamabad,
and whether the US troops would land in Pakistan before moving into
Afghanistan, the Spokesman said:
All I can say is that
there are no US troops in Pakistan at the moment. As far as defence
and military related questions are concerned, I am really not in a
position to comment on those.
* When his attention
was drawn to a number of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan and taking
part in processions being brought out protesting against the government,
the Spokesman said:
The refugees have been
given shelter in Pakistan because they are homeless. So instead of
indulging in political agitation or thing of that sort they should
behave like refugees and confine themselves to the camps. The government
may take action and send back whosoever takes part in such activities.
* When asked about the
parameters of the official claim that that the Musharraf government
enjoyed the support of vast majority of the country, The Spokesman
said:
The parameters are that
there is peace and tranquility in the country. Life is going on normally.
Economic, commercial, educational, cultural and all activities are
going on as usual. What else are the parameters?
* To the question about
the basis of the government’s decision to support the United States,
the Spokesman said:
The government has taken
its decision to support USA after the President consulted all segments
of the society and there was a unanimous support to the President
given by the politicians, intellectuals, media personalities, Ulema,
youth, minorities and others.
* Asked if it was true
that the President was not encouraged to visit Kandahar some time
ago by the top military intelligence man of the country, as reported
in a section of the press, the Spokesman said:
It is a baseless report.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-40.htm
"… The Northern Alliance must not draw
mileage out of this action and the post-action has to be balanced… We
tried our utmost but unfortunately it was not possible to prevent the
conclusion that happened last night…"
-- Pervez Musharraf, President, Pakistan, October 8,
2001
Highlights of the Press Conference
addressed by
General Pervez Musharraf,
President of Pakistan,
October 8, 2001
Asalam-o- Alaikum
Bismillah-ur -Rehman -ur Raheem
Ladies and Gentlemen
I welcome you to my first press conference. First of
all I would like to express my condolence to Mr. Bush on the acts of
terrorism that were perpetrated on Sept 11.
Pakistan condemns all acts of terrorism. Following the
act of terrorism as you all know Pakistan was requested for support
to fight terrorists. The onus of the terroristic attack fell on Osama
Bin Laden.
We were requested for support in the form of intelligence
which we are providing now.
President Musharraf hoped that
the action against Afghanistan would be "sharp and targetted" with broad-based
political dispensation and rehabilitation work for Afghan people would
be undertaken "promptly and adequately."
He said that Pakistan made its
best efforts for moderation in the policy of the Taliban regime and
for extradition of Osama and sent delegations to Afghanistan to this
end, but unfortunately we did not succeed in our efforts.
"I am reasonably sure that the
action going on is targeted on terrorist camps in Kabul, Qandhar, Jalalabad,
Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat and that there is the desire of the forces
involved in the action to remain targeted," he added.
He said that "it is an action
against terrorists and not against the people of Afghanistan."
He said "astute diplomacy" was
being pursued side by side, and hoped that the environment would become
normal and suitable.
He said the reason why we chose
to cooperate was because it was in the best national and international
interest. We made all Possible efforts to free the eight foreigners
in custody of the Taliban through our diplomatic relations, but I regret
and I accept responsibility that we failed.
After last night's attacks I
feel three actions are required:
- Military Action
- Political Dispensation
- Post Action Rehabilitation
I shall explain what is required
in each of these spheres
Military Action:
One is hoping and I have firm
assurance that it will be short and targeted and would not lead to collateral
damage.
I am convinced that the targets
are focused and it is the terrorist camps that are being targeted.
I also hope and know that all
the military actions taking place should be perceived as being targeted
against terrorism and their sanctuaries and should not be percieved
as being targeted towards the general Afghan population.
I have conveyed my views to Prime
Minister Blair that the post action scenario should be balanced.
Political Dispensation
We must ensure stability and
peace within Afghanistan.
The approach that we take should
be multiethnic and taken in the best interest of the Afghan people.
Ensuring this there is possibility
of Pakistan having a friendly neighbour.
Post Action Rehabilitation
He said " I have conveyed to
US President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair that the Northern
Alliance must not draw mileage out of this action."
Musharraf said, "Pakistan would
like to have friendly Afghanistan in the post-action scenario."
"The political dispensation must
ensure unity and stability of Afghanistan and bring peace over there,
"he said and added, "this dispensation should be broad-based and multi-ethnic
and take into consideration the demographic composition of Afghanistan."
He said, this should not be seen
as "imposed", it should be viewed as being "facilitated".
President Musharraf said I have
interacted with all the leaders particularly President Bush and Prime
Minister Blair " We need to plan a major rehabilitation effort as fast
as possible to bring normalcy into the life of the people of Afghanistan."
All major rehabilitation effort must be based on:
Water and Land Management: "The
efforts should be directed towards water management and land development
so that agriculture comes back and refugees go back to Afghanistan to
earn their livelihood." He said agriculture will go with this rehabilitation
efforts.
Other is construction and infrastructure:
He said, immediate efforts are needed to develop the infrastructure
and construction.
UNHCR support: He emphasised
the need of reinforcing UNHCR's efforts, adding, it is a good sign that
along with action against terrorist, there are massive drops of relief
goods which will provide succour to the people of Afghanistan."
With last night's targeting a
huge amount of food drops have also taken place. This is the ideal combination
that could take place under the circumstances.
Here I would like to give out
a few words on the International situation prevailing within the country.
President Musharraf said "I know the people of Pakistan are with my
Government and all decisions are being taken in the best national interest.
I have interacted with the cross-section of the people and I am positive
that the vast majority is with us," he expressed with confidence.
He pointed out that one of the
major concerns for the country was that foreigners working in different
projects were leaving Pakistan.
Another cause of concern, he
said, was that a number of orders that were placed with our industries
have been cancelled and no fresh orders were being placed.
He observed that the reasons
for this may be uncertainty in our capability to fulfil our orders.
"I want to convey that there
was a war in Afghanistan over a decade but the business was going on
as usual."
He emphasised "The business is
going normal and will go on as usual," adding, that there is no reason
whatsoever for any apprehension for any foreigner to leave Pakistan,
all this effects our exports and economy.
President Musharraf appealed
to the world community to "see the reality and avoid action which will
create problems and uncertainty for Pakistan (economy)."
I am positive that these are
not serious concerns for apprehension and I appeal to the world community
not to take this view.
(The President thereafter answered
questions from the local and international press).
Pakistan Paindabad
Source: Dawn, Karachi, October 8, 2001, Internet
edition.
"We regret that
diplomatic efforts to convince Taliban leadership to respond to the
international demands did not succeed and now military action has started
against the Taliban regime. Pakistan did whatever it could to convince
the Taliban leadership of the gravity of the situation and take the
right decisions in the interest of the Afghan people. It remains our
hope that the US and allied action remains clearly targeted to achieve
the aims identified by the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions
and every care will be taken to minimise harm to the Afghan people who
have already suffered the ravages of conflict for more than two decades.
We also hope that the operations will end soon and a concerted international
effort will be undertaken to promote national re-conciliation and help
Afghanistan with economic reconstruction."
-- Foreign Ministry of Pakistan,
October 7 2001
"… Definitely,
we were taken into confidence in advance…"
-- Major General Rashid Qureshi,
Director General, Inter-Services Public Relations, ISPR, Islamabad,
October 7, 2001.
"… I think Pakistan is responsible
for ensuring the security of its nuclear weapons, I don't think anyone
else can do that…"
-- Major General Rashid Quereshi,
Spokesman, Inter Services Public relations, and Spokesman for President
Pervez Musharraf, October 5, 2001
"We have seen
the material [evidence against bin Laden] that was provided to us by
the American side yesterday… It is for the US to exercise its judgment
on this question [sharing the information with other countries]… There
are sufficient grounds for indictment [of the Taliban] and it reinforces
the resolutions of the Security Council [on sanctions] taken earlier…"
-- Riaz Muhammad Khan, Spokesman, Foreign Ministry, Pakistan, October
4, 2001
Transcript of the Press Conference
Addressed by
Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman
Riyaz Mohammad Khan,
October 4, 2001
There was no statement made in
beginning and the Press Conference opened with the question-answer session.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
* When his comments were sought
on a so-called incident of hijacking in India the other day, and if
India could stage more such dramas to malign Pakistan and to win sympathies
of the world against so-called Islamic terrorism in that country, the
Spokesman said:
It was a total farce. We have
noted and the world must have also noted the enthusiasm with which the
Indian media tried to exploit this farce to malign Pakistan and the
Kashmiri freedom movement. This surely is very regrettable and demonstrates
the hostility which we so regularly experience on the part of the Indian
media and many officials.
* Asked whether Pakistan considered
that the evidence brought out by the US was sufficient or that needed
to be further supplemented, the Spokesman said:
We have seen the material that
was provided to us by the American side yesterday. This material provides
sufficient basis for indictment in a court of law. You would also recall
that earlier the UN Security Council resolutions had demanded that Mr.
Osama Bin Ladin should be handed over for trial in a court of law. You
must have also noted the comments made by the Foreign Minister yesterday
on this subject. In our view there is a need that the evidence should
be shared internationally. We also understand that the US investigations
are continuing; so whatever they have provided may subsequently be supplemented
by additional material.
* When asked about the total
number of Afghan refugees present in Pakistan and how much more could
be expected, the Spokesman said:
The figures that we had before
the current crisis was close to 2.5 million. We had over two million
Afghan refugees until late last year. Then because of drought conditions,
compounded by the sanctions and the conflict, we received another over
200,000 Afghan refugees. So in our estimation, more than 2.5 million
Afghan refugees are in our country. There have been a constant influx
of refugees through mountain trails although we have closed our border
on all the established entry points. According to one of the reports
it is in the range of about 800 persons every day.
I cannot really give you an exact
figure, because it is a very large number of people who are trying to
come into Pakistan or have already entered our country. Our major concern
in this regard is how to take care, and we are very closely coordinating
with the UNHCR and other international humanitarian organizations in
that regard.
* Asked as to how Islamabad categorized
its relationship with Kabul at the moment, the Spokesman said:
We do not have any presence,
diplomatic or otherwise in Afghanistan. The Afghan Ambassador and their
Embassy are still in Islamabad. They are also serving as a contact point
with the international community. Only three days ago, UN Under Secretary
General Mr. Oshima made a request to Ambassador Zaeef to allow the WFP
food trucks into Afghanistan. The British Ambassador has also met the
Afghan Ambassador. We do not know what transpired in their meeting,
but it may have something to do with the British journalist who is in
the Taleban’s custody in Kabul. So the presence of the Afghan Ambassador
is serving as a contact point for the international community.
* When his attention was drawn
to certain media reports that the suspects of 11 September events were
alleged to have traveled and received funds through Pakistan, the Spokesman
stated:
In the material that has been
given to us by the American side, we did not find any such references.
* Asked if the material provided
by the US concerned the 11 September incidents or had also got some
relevance to earlier events, the Spokesman said:
The material related to both
the 11 September incidents and to earlier events.
* Asked to elaborate the Foreign
Minister’s remarks that the evidence should be shared internationally,
when it had already been shared with NATO countries and Pakistan, and
if that meant that the information should be placed before the OIC,
the Spokesman observed:
It is for the United States to
exercise its judgment on this question. We are not the ones who would
be giving judgment on this subject. We think that there would be an
advantage if the evidence is publicized, because it would strengthen
the case of the US in taking appropriate actions against those responsible
for the terrorist acts. But again there are sensitivities involved regarding
confidentialities of the various aspects, and the judgment has to be
exercised by the US to the extent that they want to share it internationally.
* Asked if Pakistan would like
to take the Taleban into confidence with regard to the evidence provided
by the United States, particularly when it had been found sufficient
for indictment of Osama Bin Ladin, the Spokesman said:
As regards the question of approaching
the Taleban, again we have not been asked to do so, and we will not
do so. It is for the US side and the Taleban to get in touch with each
other with regard to this matter.
* When his attention was drawn
to Afghan Ambassador’s recent remarks that the US should talk to them
directly and not through Islamabad, the Spokesman stated:
Pakistan was not talking to the
Taleban leadership on behalf of anybody. The message which was sent
through the high level delegation related to the gravity of the situation,
what the international community expected from the Taleban leadership,
and that there was a need for them to be responsive to this demand of
the international community. Further, it underscored the urgency of
the matter. We were not acting on behalf of anybody. We were acting
on our own, because as stated earlier, we care for Afghanistan as a
friend and a neighbour.
* When his attention was drawn
to Indian Foreign Minister’s complaint to Mr. Tony Blair of Pakistan’s
alleged involvement in recent terrorist acts in India, and to the hysterical
statements by Indian Home Minister and Farooq Abdullah threatening attacks
inside Azad Kashmir on so-called terrorists’ camps, the Spokesman said:
To the question regarding the
threats by the Indians, the simple answer is what was given by the President
himself in his address to the Nation. Pakistan is fully prepared to
defend itself, every inch of its territory and that also applies to
Azad Kashmir.
* When his comments were sought
on some media reports that some Arab nationals and others, associated
with certain NGOs were being expelled from Pakistan, the Spokesman said:
We are looking into the credentials
of all expatriates, associated with NGOs working in Pakistan. This is
a part of the restrictive visa policy we have put in force, following
11 September developments. As I have sated earlier, we have discontinued
forthwith issuance of visa on arrival. Now only our Embassies can issue
visa and for that also they have to make a reference to Islamabad.
* Asked as to how he viewed the
scenario after the Taleban, and what were the basis of Pakistan’s confidence
with regard to a friendly set-up in Afghanistan, the Spokesman said:
As regards a government in Kabul
which is representative of all segments of the Afghan population, something
which the UN and the OIC have been making efforts to promote, we are
sure such a government will always be friendly to Pakistan. Because
they would realize that interests of Afghanistan and Pakistan converge.
And here I may also say that relations between the people of Afghanistan
and the people of Pakistan are centuries-old and very close and friendly.
This in fact will be reflected in the attitudes of any government which
is acceptable to all segments of the Afghan population. So we are quite
confident that a government which is able to promote peace and stability
in Afghanistan will also strives for friendly relations with Pakistan.
As for as Pakistan is concerned we would certainly like to have friendly
relations with governments in Afghanistan. It has been our consistent
policy in the past, as well.
* Asked if Pakistan had been
consulted with regard to the UN efforts for a broad-based government
in Afghanistan, the Spokesman said:
The UN has been making efforts
for quite some time and the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative
Mr. Vendrell has been consulting the Afghans including the Taleban.
He is based in Islamabad and has also been in touch with us.
* Asked if Pakistan would be
considering to de-freeze the accounts of Al-Rasheed Trust and direct
the State Bank to revise its advisory in that regard, as the Trust’s
name had not been reflected in the papers provided by the US, the Spokesman
stated:
Al-Rasheed is one of the 27 entities
whose assets have been frozen by the US government and the European
governments. As a follow-up of that, the State Bank has issued an advisory
to our Banks who have world-wide businesses to take steps in their own
interest. However, on the question of Al-Rasheed we have approached
the US side.
* To a question regarding how
Osama bin Ladin can be tried and in which country, the Spokesman said:
I may say that this is a UN Security
Council decision and naturally the governments are required to implement
it. As regards the modalities of implementation, it is not for Pakistan
to be describing or defining them. It is for the UN Security Council
to do that and it is for the concerned governments to be responsive
to what the Security Council has demanded.
* Asked if there was a possibility
of sending another delegation to the Taleban in the wake of latest developments
as Pakistan had seemingly turned back on them, the Spokesman said:
Such a move has not been planned.
But as the situation is evolving very rapidly, I cannot rule out anything.
Their Ambassador is still in Islamabad. Of course, he can discuss any
matter with us or with the representatives of other governments who
are present in the capital.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-36.htm
"… Pakistan believes that any
government in Afghanistan should be in line with the wishes of the Afghan
people. History bears witness to the fact that a government set-up against
the will of the Afghan people could not survive. Therefore the question
that what sort of government Afghanistan should have made be posed to
the Afghan people..."
-- Major General Rashid Quereshi,
Spokesman, Inter Services Public relations, and Spokesman for President
Pervez Musharraf, October 4, 2001.
"The principle
being that we abhor terrorism in any form and we do not support in any
way innocents being killed. Our actions and policies will be based on
UN Security Council resolutions. We didn't take this position because
of the expectation of economic benefits. We took it on the basis of
principles."
-- Shaukat Aziz, Finance Minister,
Pakistan, October 3, 2001
"… The US should
be confident that it has impressive evidence, but Pakistan would not
sit in judgement."
-- Abdul Sattar, Foreign Minister,
Pakistan, October 3, 2001
Transcript
of the Press Conference
Addressed By
Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman
Riyaz Mohammad Khan,
October 3, 2001
OPENING COMMENTS
You would recall that after the
1998 tests the US had placed about 92 Pakistani entities under restrictions
for commercial purposes. The US government has now revised the list
and with the exception of 20 entities, all others have been removed
from the list. This decision will be effective from 1 October 2001.
Under this decision, for most items for the entities who are no longer
on the list, there will be no requirement of licensing for normal commerce,
and for number of other items there would be possibility of application
without presumption of denial.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed
during the question-answer session:
* Asked if it was true that British
Prime Minister Tony Blair would be coming to Islamabad on Friday i.e.
5 October and Pakistan was to facilitate his contact with the Taleban,
the Spokesman said:
There is the possibility of British
Prime Minister’ visit to Pakistan, but unless the dates and timings
etc. are firmed up, we are not in a position to say anything with certainty.
Once the timing and the date are firmed up, we will certainly announce
it along with the British Foreign Office.
* Asked whether the Government
of Pakistan was now convinced that Osama Bin Ladin and Al Qaeda were
responsible for terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Spokesman
stated:
I had mentioned to you yesterday
about the US Ambassador’s meeting with our President and that she discussed
the status of investigations which are continuing in the United States.
Today we have received some more material which is being studied. This
is with reference to the question of both evidence and the status of
investigations.
* Asked if he would take the
media into confidence with regard to US Ambassador’s meeting with President
Musharraf the other day, as the US media was portraying a different
picture, the Spokesman said:
I don’t know what picture the
American media is portraying. But the description I have given you is
what my information is, and this was exactly what transpired during
the meeting. Along with other subjects she informed the President about
the status of the investigations.
* Asked whether Pakistan was
in a position and would it be facilitating a dialogue between the Taleban
and the US, as requested by the Taleban Ambassador in Islamabad, the
Spokesman stated:
Basically, this is a question
between the US and the Taleban. The US position is that there is no
room for any negotiations. On the other hand, the Taleban Ambassador
has made this particular statement. Again only the US can respond to
this comment. I do not know whether this is a formal offer or a comment
made during an interview. Here I may mention to you, that apart from
the question of evidence there is also the question of the Security
Council resolution 1267 and 1333, which are very clear in their text.
* Asked if it was true that President
Musharraf while receiving the visiting Italian Deputy Foreign Minister
agreed to receive an envoy of former King Zahir Shah and was that not
a shift on Islamabad’s part from its established Afghan policy, the
Spokesman stated:
First of all, there are no invitations
extended through the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister. She had come here.
She had explained to us that Italy was only a facilitator in contacts
between the former King and a number of people who may wish to meet
him. This is quite understandable that the Afghans who care for their
own country want to develop their own approach to addressing the problem
that they see in their country. As far as Pakistan is concerned, you
would recall that last year a delegation sent by the former King, led
by Mr. Arsalah, had visited Pakistan. We have not received any suggestion
or proposal that the former King is intending to send another delegation
to Pakistan. But if such a delegation is proposed, we would consider
that positively.
* When his attention was drawn
to reports that India had given some material to the US suggesting that
it should be India not Pakistan given the status of front line state
against terrorism, the Spokesman said:
There is an international coalition
in the fight against terrorism. In that coalition I think almost all
the countries of the world are participating. Whatever they can do,
I am sure, that they would do because there is a broad international
consensus that terrorism is a modern day evil and has to be rooted out.
Now in the context of UN Security Council resolutions, there are certain
expectation from the Afghan government. It so happens that Pakistan
is the neighbour of Afghanistan. Therefore, there is an expectation
of certain role from us. We will try to and we have tried to explain
the situation to the Afghan leadership. We have tried to persuade them
to respond to what the international community is expecting. So this
is the kind of the role we are playing. Beyond that, if there is a need
for any actions within the framework of the United Nations Security
Council resolutions, Pakistan will be responsive and prepared to play
that kind of role. In this regard, we do not have anything beyond what
you have heard from the President himself.
* Asked as to why Pakistan despite
its all out cooperation to the United States in its fight against terrorism,
was not launching a protest with Washington against irresponsible comments
by the Indian Foreign Minister involving Islamabad in recent terrorist
acts in IHK, the Spokesman said:
If your reference is to the Srinagar
incident, you know that Pakistan has already unequivocally condemned
that as an act of terrorism. But there are two glaring realities as
far as Kashmir is concerned. One is the reality of more than 50 years
old struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right of self-determination,
and the other reality is the reality of state terrorism which is being
perpetrated against them to suppress their legitimate struggle.
* Asked as to how the United
States did not share the evidence with Pakistan when that was already
in the knowledge of NATO countries, the Spokesman observed:
The United States is part of
NATO. I think being a partner of NATO they may have found it appropriate
that their partners should know about the evidence before that is shared
with other countries.
* Asked as to how the OIC would
be tackling the current situation in their forthcoming ICFM meeting,
the Spokesman said:
The OIC agenda is being circulated.
It is a two-item agenda. One item is Palestine which is always a part
of agenda of the OIC meetings. The other item for this extraordinary
session is ‘the situation arising from the developments of 11 September
in the United States’. So the focus of this particular session will
be on the situation arising from the developments of 11 September events.
Now I do not wish to prejudge what the OIC countries are going to decide,
and how they are going to address this situation arising from the terrorist
attacks. OIC is a body of 56 countries and interaction is already going
on between the members. But you might have noticed that all the OIC
countries in the context of the United Nations have voted in favour
of the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on 12 September, strongly
condemning the happenings of 11 September, and expressing their resolve
to fight terrorism. So surely the decisions which will come from this
meeting will be focused in that direction.
* Asked if Pakistan would be
sharing the evidence provided by the United States with the Afghanistan,
being the only country maintaining a link with Afghanistan, the Spokesman
said:
Pakistan is not an intermediary
between the United States and the Taleban. We are not playing that kind
of a role. It is for the United States or the Taleban to be interacting
with each other. Unless we are requested to do that we would not be
playing that kind of a role.
* Asked if Pakistan had received
anything new against the Al-Rasheed Trust, the Spokesman said:
The Al-Rasheed Trust is on the
list of those 27 entities. Our State Bank has issued an advisory to
all the Banks in Pakistan for freezing those accounts. Now it is for
the Banks in the interest of their own world wide businesses to take
appropriate action. We are in touch with the Untied States to give us
some evidence relating to the activities of Al-Rasheed, because as for
as we know this has been a charitable Trust and doing considerable welfare
work for the Afghan refugees.
* Asked as to how Islamabad viewed
the idea of King Zahir Shah’s installation in Kabul and stationing of
UN forces, as being contemplated even by many Afghans themselves, the
Spokesman said:
I don’t think this such a simple
question. As I said yesterday, there are lot of contacts and considerations
which are going on among the Afghans themselves. Now the people of Afghanistan,
whether they are expatriates or living within Afghanistan, have the
privilege to think about what is in the interest of their country. As
an outsider and as a neighbour which is directly affected by the situation
in Afghanistan, our position is what has been stated again and again,
that we would like to see national reconciliation, peace and stability
in that country. There are almost 2.5 million refugees here for over
last two decades. It has been a socio-economic burden on Pakistan. We
want peace and stability in their country so that they go back and this
region can also see peace and stability.
* When asked to comment on a
report that plane loads of military equipment were being transported
to the Northern Alliance, the Spokesman said:
From our point of view there
is nothing new in the report you are mentioning. You must be knowing
that it were not just the flights, a whole train-load of military equipments,
almost seven hundred tons, was intercepted in Tajikistan which was going
to the Northern Alliance. So the Northern Alliance has been receiving
military assistance from some countries and this certainly is not a
new situation.
You may also recall that one
of the reservation to resolutions 1267 on the part of Pakistan was that
it only placed an arms embargo against the Taleban, one faction, whereas
Pakistan’s position was that there should be an arms embargo against
all factions in Afghanistan. Because we believe that placing an embargo
on one faction and letting arms flow to the other faction would be a
kind of an incentive for the other faction not to sit on the negotiating
table and not to support efforts for national reconciliation.
Source:
http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-35.htm
"… Pakistan has
pledged logistical support to the operation. What that logistical support
could be, it is up to the US… When the US will resort to force is known
only to the US. It may be hours, it may be days… If a host asks a guest
to leave and the guest refuses, then the host has another decision to
make… It is our strong view and our advice to all our friends: Do not
try to impose a government on the people of Afghanistan from the outside…
My fear is that if the action that is taken in Afghanistan is seen to
be unjust, and results in massive hardships, there will be a reaction
in our country. God forbid, if the action that is taken is disproportionate..."
-- Abdul Sattar, Foreign Minister,
Pakistan, October 2, 2001
"…. It appears
that the United States will take action in Afghanistan, and we have
conveyed this to the Taliban... that was the reason we were interacting
with them so that some moderation takes place and maybe this kind of
action is averted. But it appears that because of the stand that the
Taliban have taken that confrontation will take place…Policies are dependent
on situations or scenarios. Now, if the situation is pre-September 11,
there was no change and our policy was very correct… Once the reality
changes and the situation on the ground changes, you have to re-evaluate
your policies and you reformulate them…There has been a change of reality,
so we have reformulated our policy…We have to see what the action plan
is in Afghanistan. Then, we are also concerned with whatever dispensation,
if at all there is a change in Afghanistan. What kind of dispensation
will there be in Afghanistan? These are very critical issues of concern
to us… I am reasonably sure we will be in the loop with the US to decide,
to be talking whenever decisions are taken on these important issues…
Pakistan was following a policy which was very correct and it was in
our national interest…As the situation seems, the chances of their willingly
handing over Osama bin Laden are very dim."
-- Pervez Musharraf, President,
Pakistan, BBC World Service Radio, October 1, 2001
"… This is going
to be a long campaign as everybody in the world knows including the
Bush administration who have been making this point, President Bush
himself..."
Maleeha Lodhi, Ambassador
of Pakistan in the United States, October 1, 2001
Transcript of the Press Conference
Addressed by
Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman
Riyaz Mohammad Khan,
October 1, 2001
There was no statement made in
beginning and the Press Conference opened with the question-answer session.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed
during the question-answer session:
* When his attention was drawn
to various reports with regard to closing of Quetta Air Base, the Spokesman
said:
At Quetta Air Base, we maintain
one squadron of fighter jets. The movement of the squadron, as reported
in the press, is in connection with routine exercises which are in progress
at the moment. Once those are over, the squadron will return to the
Air Base.
* When his attention was drawn
to another report that Quetta Airport had probably been closed for the
US relief operations, the Spokesman observed:
Quetta Airport has not been closed.
It is very much operational. If some arrangements are being made there
for receiving relief goods for the refugees, that is quite a normal
and understandable activity.
* When asked about the logic
behind having diplomatic efforts with the Taliban, particularly when
the President had himself said in his interview to CNN that the Taleban
would not hand over Osma Bin Ladin, the Spokesman said:
I may correct you that the President
in fact said that the hopes are dim. I always request you to be very
careful in quoting leaders. He had said the response had been discouraging.
These were the words that he used. So whatever hope is left, whatever
possibility exists, we will certainly remain engaged to see whether
those can be expanded and some kind of diplomatic efforts succeeds with
the Taleban Government. Nonetheless, the statement made by the President
is very clear and I cannot add to it.
* When his comments were sought
on another press report that the US and British troops were about to
strike Afghanistan in next 48 hours , and if it was true that the US
Naval Chief had visited Islamabad, the Spokesman said:
To the second part of your question,
I may say that I am not aware of any such visit. So far as the first
part of your question is concerned, these are the report in the British
media perhaps, but so far no operation plans and nothing specific have
been discussed or placed before us. Therefore judging from that, any
kind of action in 48 hours appears far-fetched.
* When his comments were sought
on the latest UNSC resolution on terrorism, the Spokesman stated:
The resolution adopted by the
Security Council has recommended a number of steps to fight terrorism.
We are examining this resolution and would like to see in some detail
as to what kind of specific steps would be required by member states
of the United Nations as a follow up for its implementation. Since the
resolution has been made public, I would suggest that the media people
should also analyze the document. The Foreign Office and other Ministries
e.g. the Law Ministry, will do so because it may also have legal implications.
I would not like to comment on the text of the resolution itself, because
it is so detailed that if I start I would have to address it comprehensively
or my comments would be very lop-sided.
* Asked as to what kind of assistance
Pakistan would be asking from the UN, OIC, United States, and the European
countries in the back drop of the economic situation emerging, as many
airlines and shipping companies had reportedly stopped their operations
for Karachi, the Spokesman said:
I believe foreign ships are coming
to Karachi. But surely the situation is such that some companies may
be apprehensive and wish to see as to how the situation develops. But
as the situation is very normal in the country, we hope these companies
would review their policies. As regards foreign governments, they have
certainly appreciated the position we have taken. They would be very
much interested in normal economic activities with Pakistan. There is
not a single country which has issued any advisory relating to curtailment
of business activities with Pakistan. In fact, they should consider
boosting economic activities with us following the lifting of sanctions.
* Asked if Pakistan would consider
review of its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan in the backdrop
of Taleban’s admission that Osma Bin Ladin was in their country and
would not be expelled at any cost, the Spokesman said:
The relations that we maintain
with Afghanistan are dictated by geographical compulsions. Afghanistan
has depended on Pakistan for transit trade and food supplies. You are
well aware that there is a considerable interaction between the populations
of the two countries on both sides of the border. Therefore, there has
to be a continued contact and a relationship between Islamabad and Kabul.
You could yourself imagine as
to the consequences if supposedly these relations were to be completely
severed. For example all humanitarian UN agencies, who have operations
for Afghanistan, are working for most of the time from the territory
of Pakistan. Even today the Under Secretary of the United Nations, responsible
for Humanitarian Affairs, got in touch with the Taleban Ambassador in
Islamabad to seek his assistance for supply of WFP consignments to reach
Afghanistan. They have also requested our help in this regard.
In such a scenario if we severe
relations with Kabul and no such contact is available, not only these
supplies would not reach Afghanistan, but also there would be influx
of tens of thousands of Afghan people pouring into Pakistan, if not
millions. Who is interested in starving the Afghans or completely strangulating
the Afghan economy? Therefore, let me say that our relations with Afghanistan
or Kabul are not of an academic character. We cannot afford the luxury
of insulating ourselves like many other countries who are not their
neighbours. Our relations have been in the past and would continue to
be based on ground realities.
* Asked if Pakistan would be
taking some particular steps after Kabul’s confirmation of Osma Bin
Ladin’s presence in their territory, the Spokesman said:
The Taleban had never said that
he is not in Afghanistan. So I don’t think this latest statement, which
has been made by the Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad, really has any
particular significance or relevance to whatever position we had taken
earlier, and whatever efforts we have been making and, of course, whatever
was stated by our President in his interview.
* When his comments were sought
on an excerpt from the President’s interview the other day that the
emerging opposition to terrorism could damage the Taleban and if Pakistan’s
President could not embark upon another peace offensive on the lines
those of Agra Summit, the Spokesman observed:
Please do not expect me to comment
on what the President said. Whatever he said, it is very clear and needs
no further elaboration.
As regards your second proposition,
I think that it requires really a great deal of consideration. Whatever,
we could do, we have been doing. The President sent a higher level delegation
to Kandhar with a clear message. He sent a letter to the Afghan leader
which was also a very sincere and forthright message. Subsequently,
a delegation of Pakistani Ulema also visited Kandhar. We continue to
hope that this crisis will be resolved amicably.
* Asked if the chances of attack
on Afghanistan were receding or increasing, the Spokesman said:
Please be again very clear that
we are not talking of attack against Afghanistan and the Afghan people.
The whole campaign is against terrorism on which there are clear resolutions
of the Security Council. So this is an issue which has been there for
a long time because there were Security Council resolutions earlier
also. Now, a situation has been precipitated by the unfortunate events
of 11 September and naturally the campaign has been raised to a much
higher level. So there is a need for every country to be responsive
to the situation.
* When asked about Islamabad’s
reaction in case former King Zahir Shah was installed in Afghanistan,
as was being contemplated in the West, the Spokesman said:
Pakistan would like to see national
reconciliation and that conflict in Afghanistan comes to an end. Pakistan
would like to see peace and stability in that country. It is not just
in the interest of the Afghan people but is also in the interest of
Pakistan and the whole region. How would that national reconciliation
be achieved? It has certainly so far eluded all international efforts,
including those of the United Nations and the OIC, which had the full
support of Pakistan.
As regards our contacts etc.
with various personalities, people, you would recall that early last
year a delegation was sent to Islamabad by former King Zahir Shah led
by Mr. Arsalah. Here they had meetings with our Foreign Minister and
others. In that sense, we did have contacts. The question in fact is
not of contacts but of how can we achieve national reconciliation in
Afghanistan. If anybody has got a formula, we would appreciated very
much.
* Asked if the Government of
Pakistan had protested against harassment and mistreatment of Pakistanis
in the United States and other Western countries following the 11 September
events, the Spokesman observed:
I think the Government of Pakistan
has taken note with great appreciation of all that the US government,
their civil society and President Bush himself are doing to ensure harmony
and confidence within the various segments of their population. No doubt,
there have been some very unfortunate incidents and individual cases
of harassment etc., but you have to see that what the government, the
civil society and the leadership at the highest level were trying to
do. I think this is a point which should be appreciated by everybody.
* To a question with regard to
the implications of the government’s decision to side with Washington
in the present situation and whether Pakistan government was conscious
of the difficulties ahead, the Spokesman said:
The government has taken a position.
It does not mean that the government is oblivious of some negative impact
that this situation is creating. But this is a situation which is beyond
Pakistan, it affects the region and the whole international community.
At the same time we are also encouraged by important developments like
the lifting of sanctions etc. We hope that as the situation settles
down, the economic confidence will be revived with greater vigor and
the difficulties which you have mentioned would be temporary.
* Asked if Pakistan had been
taken into confidence with regard to the specifics of Washington’s intentions
vis-à-vis Afghanistan, the Spokesman said:
If certain specific cooperation
is sought from us, certainly we will like to be fully informed of every
aspect of that cooperation. But as we have said again and again, so
far we have not received any such specific suggestion or request or
plans etc.
* To a question about issuance
of advisory by the State Bank of Pakistan against certain organizations
allegedly involved in terrorism, presence of Harkatul Mujahideen offices
in Pakistan and if it was not unfair to proceed against Al-Rasheed Trust,
a welfare body, the Spokesman said:
To the first part of your question,
I may say that the State Bank has issued an advisory relating to the
list which was given out by the United States about certain entities,
organizations and individuals. Now it was for the Banks who have world
wide businesses to act on this advisory is in their own interest.
As regards the offices of Hakat
ul Mujahideen, we are not aware of any such offices in Pakistan. About
the Al-Rashid Trust, yes, we would like to see why this particular Trust,
which from our point of view is engaged in welfare activities, has been
placed on that list.
Source: www.forisb.org/FOS01-33.htm
"We have been asked to provide
intelligence services, airspace facility and also logistics but we need
to get into modalities as they come along…I would not like that Pakistani
troops enter into Afghanistan. We don't know anything about the operational
plan as yet…Hopes are very dim that the Taliban would meet US demands
to hand over Osama bin Laden. The signals that come out are not very
encouraging…We are interested in peace in Afghanistan as we are interested
in a government there which is interested in a moderate, united Afghanistan."
-- President Pervez Musharraf,
interview with CNN, September 30
"… The federal
government only, after a careful study of the policy issues, will take
a decision on the question of providing facilities..."
-- Justice (Retd.) Amirul Mulk
Mengal, Governor, Baluchistan,
Pakistan, September 29, 2001
"… I also told Taliban that
their fight against the Northern Alliance was not a jihad because it
was just a struggle for power..."
-- Moinuddin Haider, Interior
Minister, Pakistan, September 29, 2001
"… Whatever decision we have
taken so far and will take in the future to steer the country out of
present crisis, will be in the best national interest and there will
be no bargain…We will take decisions keeping in view all of our major
concerns…"
-- Gen. Pervez Musharraf, President,
Pakistan, September 29, 2001
"The position of the Pakistan
government is that in view of the gravity of the situation, the Taliban
leadership should be responsive to what the international community
is expecting of them," Khan said…. That first effort [The visit of the
official delegation last week] was solely on the part of the Pakistan
government… This delegation [of clerics] is on the part of an important
segment of the people of Pakistan and we hope that it will produce results…
I wouldn't characterise it as the first, second or last chance. Our
objective is that a positive outcome is achieved…"
-- Riyaz Mohammad Khan, Spokesperson,
Foreign Ministry of Pakistan,
September 28, 2001
Transcript of the Press Conference
Addressed by Pakistan
Foreign Office Spokesman Riyaz Mohammad Khan,
September 28, 2001
…
Visit of Ulema Delegation to
Afghanistan
At present a delegation of Ulema
accompanied by the DG ISI is in Kandahar. It consists of Ulema from
Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Akora Khatak. They will be
meeting or may have already met Afghan leader Mullah Umer.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed
during the question-answer session.
* Asked about the mandate of
the Ulema delegation and if Islamabad and Washington would abide by
the understanding, if any, reached in Kandahar, the Spokesman said:
We do not define mandate for
the Ulema. Director General ISI is accompanying them because he had
already led a high level delegation to Afghanistan, sent by the President.
You are well aware of the mandate of that delegation. That was to impress
upon the Afghan leadership the gravity of the situation and also what
the international community expected them to do.
* When asked about the purpose
of sending DG ISI with the Ulema delegation, the Spokesman stated:
He had led the earlier delegation
and is fully conversant with the position of the Government of Pakistan.
Therefore, he would be in a position to make official input, if required,
during Ulema’s meeting with the Afghan leadership. The government has
not given any mandate to Ulema, they carry their own. They understand
the gravity of the situation very well.
* Asked if the Taliban leaders
would listen to the Ulema accompanied by the DG ISI, when an earlier
effort of the Government of Pakistan had failed to produce results,
the Spokesman said:
Let me put it this way, that
the first effort was solely on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.
This efforts is on the part of a significant segment of the people of
Pakistan. These are important efforts and we hope they will produce
results.
* To another question on the
subjects, the Spokesman said:
As far as I know, it was an initiative
by the Ulema themselves; but certainly the government has facilitated
their travel to Afghanistan. We look at it positively. The very fact
that the DG ISI is accompanying them speaks for government’s backing
for these kind of efforts.
* Asked if that was the last
chance being provided to the Taliban, the Spokesman said:
These are efforts, and I cannot
really characterize them as a second chance or the first chance. We
basically hope for a positive outcome and all these efforts are aimed
at achieving that objective.
* Asked if Pakistan was going
to put up a resolution at the forthcoming ICFM meeting at Doha, as a
collective response of the Umah to the emerging situation, the Spokesman
stated:
We received information about
this decision by the current Chairman of the OIC i.e. Qatar and by the
Secretary General of the Organization. Date has been fixed. Now, we
will get in touch with the chair and other member states and would discuss
with them important things about this extraordinary session of the ICFM.
* When protested against the
previous day’s proceedings, that he did not take the media into confidence
with regard to the Ulema delegation, the Spokesman clarified:
As for your protest, I certainly
take it in good spirit. Let me, however, say that as a Spokesman of
the government I can only impart information, which is confirmed, and
when things are finally decided. I did say yesterday that if Ulema wish
to go, the government will surely welcome that kind of effort, and that
has been reported in the press. In that statement it was implicit that
in case some kind of a delegation materializes the Government will be
supporting the effort. But please do not expect from me or from the
Foreign Office that we would be jumping to conclusions, and informing
you about things which are not finalized or are half-baked information.
Some time such matters take time. It was few hours after my briefing
yesterday that the Ulema were able to decide about the composition of
the delegation. At that stage only it became a definitive news. This
is the situation and you should try to understand my compulsions and
limitations.
* When asked about Pakistan’s
position with regard to the evidence which is being demanded by many
nations but is not forthcoming from Washington, the Spokesman said:
As regards the evidence relevant
to the terrible incidents of 11 September, there have been statements
by President Musharraf and also many other world leaders, including
the UN Secretary General, that the evidence should be shared internationally.
But there is also something else here and those are the Security Council
resolutions. The Security Council resolutions are very clear and they
are not dependent on any provision of evidence. They basically talk
about handing over of Osma Bin Laden for trial and closure of training
camps. So those decisions by the Security Council need to be implemented
and all the UN member states are obliged to do so. Our position, while
approaching the Afghan leadership, is based on the Security Council
resolutions.
* When his attention was drawn
to a statement by the Italian Prime Minister, claiming superiority of
Western civilization over Islam, the Spokesman observed:
First of all, let me say that
the Italian Prime Minister has retracted his words. Secondly, I may
say that the human civilization has a history of at least 6-8 thousand
years. Anybody who understands this history would be more modest in
making any comments relating to superiority of one civilization over
another.
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-31.htm
Transcript
of the Press Conference
Addressed by Pakistan
Foreign Office Spokesman Riyaz Mohammad Khan,
September 27, 2001
There was no statement was made
in the beginning and the Press Conference opened with the question-answer
session.
QUESTION - ANSWER SESSION:
The following issues were discussed
during the question-answer session.
* When asked to comment on an
observation that national life in Pakistan had come to a virtual stand-still
following the emerging international scenario, and if he would like
to share something about the outcome of the US defence delegation’s
parleys with local authorities during their stay in Pakistan, the Spokesman
stated:
Let me say that there is some
uncertainty in the region because of the situation, but as far as our
country is concerned I believe that normal life is going on. Commercial,
social, cultural, all sort of activities are continuing as usual. I
do not think there is any trace of panic. Overwhelming majority of people
has appreciated and supported the position that the government has taken.
As you are well aware, the President had taken the case to the people,
making all the facts public. There is a broad understanding, appreciation
and support for the position, the government has taken. Therefore, there
should be no reason to feel concerned.
About the US Defence Department
delegation, they have already left. As I had earlier mentioned, this
was a technical delegation, which came here for information sharing.
* To a question whether the chances
of US attack against Afghanistan were receding, and if it was true that
the Taliban had approached Mr. Jessy Jackson to come to Islamabad to
play a mediatory role on the question of Osama bin Laden, the Spokesman
said:
The question is not of attack
on Afghanistan or the campaign is not against Afghanistan. The campaign
is against terrorism. As far as Pakistan’s position is concerned, it
is based on the UN Security Council resolutions, which relate to Osama
Bin Laden and also the question of closure of training camps. So, the
priorities in this campaign are very clear. I think to talk about imminence
of an attack or an attack on the country would be somewhat out of place.
As regards the second part of
your question, I am not aware of any such contacts between the Taliban
and the Mr. Jessy Jackson.
* Asked if he had any information
about the plans of some religious groups of Pakistan to visit Afghanistan
for mediation purpose, and if they had got in touch with the Government
in that regard, the Spokesman stated:
Well, if any prominent personality,
any group of Ulema or others wish to sensitize further the Taliban Government
to what the international community is expecting from them, that would
be a welcome role from our point of view. They do not require any kind
of permission from the Government to embark upon their mission.
* When his comments were sought
on the activities of certain quarters aiming at installing Zahir Shah
in Kabul, and if such attempts were not opposed to Pakistan Foreign
Minister’s ‘warning’ the other day, that those who tried to impose government
on Afghanistan from outside had to pay a high price, the Spokesman observed:
There was no warning; what the
Foreign Minister had said was a statement of fact, borne out by history
of Afghanistan. It is our experience, and any scholar of history would
agree that a government cannot be imposed on Afghanistan from outside.
The Government in Kabul has to be acceptable to Afghan people themselves.
Only that kind of government can endure and bring stability to that
country. We have always favoured all international efforts by the United
Nations and the OIC, which are aimed at ending conflict inside Afghanistan.
We hope that such efforts would continue and lead to national reconciliation
and peace in Afghanistan.
* Asked if Pakistan would consider
a demand from certain quarters to impose a ban on Kashmiri freedom fighters,
as they were also being considered terrorists, the Spokesman stated:
First of all, there is no such
demand. Secondly, it has been made very clear in a statement of the
Foreign Office and by the President himself, that the struggle in Kashmir
is more than half a century old, carried on by the Kashmiris themselves
for their right of self-determination. It is a struggle, which has been
sanctified by UN Security Council resolutions. The Kashmir dispute is
acknowledged as a dispute universally. This has to be addressed and
there has to be a solution to this long-standing problem in accordance
with the wishes of the Kashmiri people and international norms of justice.
* To a question about the fate
of the western aid-workers held by the Taliban government, the Spokesman
said:
They are still under detention
as far as we know. We hope that this problem would be resolved quickly
and amicably.
* When his comments were sought
on freezing of accounts of Al-Rasheed Trust and few other NGOs by the
United States under the excuse of their alleged links with terrorism,
and that the same action had been repeated in Pakistan, the Spokesman
said:
So far as freezing of accounts
of Al-Rasheed Trust is concerned, the determination has been made by
the US government, which took the steps of freezing accounts of a certain
number of organizations, as well as individuals. The same step was taken
by European countries. Now the banks in Pakistan are obliged to look
into their own ledgers, whether there are such accounts with them or
not. And if there are any such accounts and the banks continue to operate
them, the operations of these banks will be affected in the United States
and Europe. So these banks have to take steps in their own interest.
The banks have taken the decision to rectify the situation in case there
are any accounts of any of these organizations with them.
* To another related question,
the Spokesman said:
Yes, an advisory has been issued
by our State Bank. The position is that the Americans have taken a step,
which has consequences. It, therefore, necessitated an advisory on our
part and our banks have to make a determination whether they have such
accounts and take steps to rectify the positions in the interest of
their own business. I think I have explained this question in considerable
details.
* When asked about the philosophy
behind observing the National Solidarity Day by the Government of Pakistan
on 27 September, and if that had the support of the people of Pakistan,
the Spokesman said:
Surely the nation is behind the
position that the President has taken. This day has first of all, affirmed
our own solidarity with the decision of the Government, and also generally
reaffirmed that for us Pakistan’s security and safety comes first and
that everything else has to be decided in the light of this primary
interest. So the observance of this day is a kind of reaffirmation of
that commitment that every Pakistani has.
* When asked to comment on certain
policies of the Government of Iran, and as to why Pakistan had adopted
a lenient policy on the refugee issue as compared to other neighbours,
the Spokesman said:
As regards Iran’s position and
policy, that is Iran’s position and policy. They have taken decisions
under compulsions that they face.
As regards the other issue, yes,
the borders have been sealed by the neighbours of Afghanistan. In fact
Pakistan has also closed its border with Afghanistan and that is the
situation so far. At the same time, we are quite aware of the humanitarian
situation, which is developing. It is a very difficult situation. We
are also conscious of the burden that it is going to place on us. We
are really faced with a very difficult choice. On one hand, there are
literally thousands of people present at the border and the anticipation
is that their number may grow to hundreds of thousands who would be
facing great deal of hardship and want to get into Pakistan. On the
other hand, we have our own problems and burdens. So how we will manage,
it will depend on how the situation would evolve.
* To a question about the Russian
support to the Northern Alliance, the Spokesman said:
This is not something new. There
are a number of countries who have been supporting them materially and
with military equipment
Source: http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-30.htm
"Pakistan will
not stand idly by and will reply with all its resources in case any
body attacks or invades us…We have made it clear that we will do everything
necessary to defend ourselves."
-- Abdus Sattar, Foreign Minister,
Pakistan, September 27, 2001
"Today our priority
should be unity because the country faces a grave situation. We are
with the rest of the Islamic world and the international community in
the fight against terrorism…''
Abdus Sattar, Foreign Minister,
Pakistan, September 27, 2001
"It is our duty
to honour the UN Security Council's resolutions as these were adopted
unanimously…As Muslims we can not condone any kind of terrorism because
we believe that the murder of an innocent human being is the murder
of the entire humanity. The entire world has become united to eliminate
terrorism and being a Muslim country, we can not afford to part ways
with this global coalition. Our policies are not leading us towards
isolation and seclusion as we are moving along with the Muslim world
as well as the UN resolutions."
-- Abdus Sattar, Foreign Minister,
Pakistan, September 27, 2001
"The president,
as well as the government spokesman, has stated, and I also repeat,
that the armed forces of Pakistan will not join any action against Afghanistan
and will not be a party in any land attack… We have also decided to
keep our Afghanistan-Pakistan border open for supplying relief goods
and continue trade activities, which is more than enough to prove that
the Afghans are our friends and not enemies… We have also made clear
to the international community that they must produce evidence against
Osama bin Ladin before taking any action against him…our effort would
be that the poor people of Afghanistan are saved from coming difficulties".
-- Lt. Gen (Retd.) Moinuddin
Haider, Interior Minister, September 27, 2001
"Pakistan has
never supported terrorism and it has always supported and will continue
to support the victims of state terrorism in Kashmir and Palestine."
-- Mohammedmian Soomro, Governor,
Sindh, September 27, 2001
"As Pakistan
is passing through a critical condition, all the citizens are duty bound
to give priority to the supreme interest of the country, ie unity and
solidarity."
-- Riaz Mohammad Khan, Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, September 27, 2001
"As Pakistan
is passing through a critical condition, all the citizens are duty bound
to give priority to the supreme interest of the country, ie unity and
solidarity."
-- Barrister Shahida Jameel,
Law Minister, Pakistan, September 27, 2001
"We have not
been oblivious for a moment to our obligations and responsibilities,
and in the wake of thorough consideration of all the aspects of the
situation, we have once again taken a decision in the supreme interest
of Pakistan…We cannot live in isolation… we have to go a long way in
fulfilling the aspirations of the nation…we have to keep our nation
in peace with brotherly Muslim countries and international fraternity
of nations and to ensure that we take strides towards progress and development
so that we can match their prosperity and stability. To achieve this
objective, we would have to forget personal considerations and past
bitterness and support the Muslim and the global fraternity…we can attain
security, stability and sovereignty for the motherland by forging complete
unity in our rank and file… The whole world is watching us as we stand
at the crossroad of history… Therefore, we have to conduct ourselves
in such a manner that we depict ourselves as a united and disciplined
nation…just as we uphold Pakistan's national interest, we equally care
for the future of the people of Afghanistan. It is incorrect to construe
that in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in the United States,
the emerging global thinking and the international response is against
any Muslim country, including Afghanistan. Participation by all the
Muslim states in the coalition against terrorism in fact proved that
it was directed against fight against terrorism alone…our constant contact
with Afghanistan aims at preventing any wrong decision at this stage
which may create hardships for Afghanistan's innocent citizens. Unfortunately
for the past couple of years, some elements were exploiting the people
for their vested interests. They were inciting the innocent people on
the basis of parochial, ethnic, regional, sectarian and local prejudices,
for the cause of meaningless sacrifices."
-- Pervez Musharraf, President,
Pakistan, message to the nation on September 26, 2001 on the occasion
of 'Pakistan Solidarity Day', September 27.
"Are we the only
Islamic country in the world or are they the only religious scholars
in the world who can issue fatwas? Those who want to take part in Jihad
should go to Afghanistan, lock, stock and barrel. They should not indulge
in empty talks only, let them go to Afghanistan and fulfil their ambition.
I know who they are and what their strength is… Don't cross the limits.
Search your souls. Don't force us expose your real faces or else you
would not be able to show your faces."
-- Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Iftikhar
Hussain Shah, Governor, North West Frontier Province, September 26,
2001
"We have always
favoured the efforts made by the United Nations and Organization of
Islamic Conference aimed at ending the conflict inside Afghanistan,
national reconciliation, formation of government acceptable to the Afghan
people. We hope that such efforts can continue and lead to national
reconciliation in Afghanistan."
-- Riaz Mohammad Khan, Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, September 26, 2001
"Pakistan cannot
and can never join any hostile action against Afghanistan or Afghan
people…We are deeply conscious that destinies of the two people and
two countries are intertwined… There is no joint operation or any specific
operation or contingency plans (by the United States) which has been
placed before Pakistan."
-- Riaz Mohammad Khan, Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan, September 26, 2001
"… We should
maintain contact with the Taliban … At least there should be one country
who ought to be able to have access to them, to be able to engage them…"
-- Pervez Musharraf, President,
Pakistan, September 25, 2001
"… We ourselves
are learning from history. We did not intervene in Afghanistan in the
past and we would not do so in the future. The Afghans are a fiercely
independent people.''
-- Abdul Sattar, Foreign Minister,
Pakistan, September 25, 2001
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s address to the nation
on
September 19, 2001
Asalam-o- Alaikum
I am here to talk about the episode of terrorism
that we have all witnessed in New York which involved 45 countries and
people of all ages were killed. These were capable Pakistanis and I
would like to convey my deep sympathy to their family members.
America has 3 targets:
Osama Bin Laden (Al-Quaida Movement)
Taliban
International terrorism
Now I shall share with you the kind of support
that they expect from us.
Intelligence - Information exchange
Use of Air Space
logistic Support
No operations plans are ready or available
at the moment.
Their target from the beginning has been Osama
bin Laden, and his movement. Their second target is the Talibaan. This
has been their demand for many years - to bring Osama to trial. Now
they have also announced a war against terrorism.
We do not have any details from the U.S of
the exact nature of the support from us. But we do know that they have
the support of the UN Security Council. The UN resolution specifies
punishment for those committing terrorism. This has been supported by
all the Islamic countries.
We in Pakistan are facing a very critical situation.
Perhaps as critical as the events in 1971. If we make the wrong decisions
our vital interests will be harmed.
I have discussed all this with my corps commanders,
politicians and prominent Pakistanis. Tomorrow I am meeting the tribal
chiefs. I have to say that opinions are divided, but the vast majority
supports us. I would say that about 15% are tending towards emotional
reactions.
Lets look at our neighbors. They have promised
US all cooperation. They want to isolate us, get us declared a terrorist
state.
They have met in Dushanbe with some other countries
and plan to try and install anti Pakistani government in Afghanistan.
So our neighbor is busy trying to harm us. If you see their television
they are busy with propaganda against us.
I want to tell them to ‘lay off’. Our forces
are on full alert and ready for a do or die mission.
In this situation if we make the wrong decisions
it can be very bad for us. Our critical concerns are our sovereignty,
second our economy, third our strategic assets (nuclear and missiles),
and forth our Kashmir cause. All four will be harmed if we make the
wrong decision. When we make these decisions they must be according
to Islam.
Its not a question of bravery or cowardice.
But bravery without thinking is stupidity. Allah has said that he who
has ‘hikmat’ has a huge blessing. We have to save our interests. Pakistan
comes first, everything else is secondary.
Some ‘ulema’ are trying to react on pure emotions.
I want to remind them of Islam’s early history. The moved from Mecca
to Medina (hijrat). Was this (God forbid) cowardice? This was wisdom
to save Islam.
Then when the Jews saw that Islam was getting
stronger they started to conspire against the muslims. When the Prophet
(PBUH) saw this happening he signed a no war pact with his enemies in
Mecca. I want to remind you of that pact. At the end of the pact, where
his signature was required, the Meccans demanded that he cannot sign
it as "Prophet Mohammed". The Prophet (PBUH) agreed.
The Prophet explained later that its best for
Islam, and it’s the right thing to do. And time proved him right. Six
months later there was a war with the Jews and the Meccans did not support
the Jews and the Muslim forces won. And some time after that Mecca also
fell to Islamic mujahideen.
Let me say that I am concerned about Afghanistan
and the Talibaan. I have tried to convince world leaders not to impose
sanctions on them in the past. I have tried my best, but sadly without
much success.
In the present situation we have been trying
to convince the Talibaan to be wise. We have also asked the US for evidence
about Osama bin Laden. Also how do we best serve Afghanistan’s interests?
By going against the world community or by working with the international
community. I am sure you will agree with me that we can only do the
later.
I also know that there are people who are using
this to promote their personal agendas. At this time, we have to be
make sure that our enemies do not succeed in their designs to harm us.
Pakistan is regarded as a fort of Islam. If this fort is damaged, islam
will be damaged.
I ask you to trust me, like you trusted me
when I went to Agra.
May Allah guide and protect us.
Pakistan Zindabad
Source: Dawn, Karachi, September
19, 2001, Internet edition
Transcript
of Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
Riaz Ahmad Khan’s
Press Conference, September 18, 2001
Opening Comments
Because this is my first press
briefing after the terrible carnage in New York and Washington, let
me first say that the people of Pakistan are deeply shocked and pained
at this horrendous terrorist attack in the two cities and the carnage
which has resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives. The President
of Pakistan has conveyed the deep sense of sorrow, grief and profound
condolences of the Government and the people of Pakistan to President
Bush and to the American people.
Since, there is intense interest
in the press corps, I have been asked to organize a daily press briefing
at 1600 hours.
Question-Answer Session
The following issues were discussed
during the question-answer session.
* To a question about the outcome
of the Kandahar talks, the Spokesman said:
The delegation has not yet returned.
It would be returning later today. The head of the Army Intelligence
Service, General Mahmood is leading the delegation. They have intensive
discussions and talks with the Afghan leader Mullah Umer. As Pakistan
is a friend and a well-wisher of Afghanistan and the Afghan people,
the President decided to send this high level delegation. He also sent
a special message to the Afghan leader and our delegation conveyed in
stark terms the gravity of the situation and what the international
community expects from the Afghan leadership. Now, of course, it is
for the Afghan leadership to take decision and we hope that it would
be in the interest of the Afghan people and their country, which has
already suffered from ravages of war for more than two decades.
* To another question about the
message, the delegation carried for the Afghan leadership, the Spokesman
stated:
The message was precisely about
the situation that has resulted from the carnage in New York and Washington
and what the international community expects from the Afghan leadership
and that expectation is clearly stated in the U.N. Security Council
Resolutions 1267, 1333 and also a subsequent resolution - 1368, which
was adopted after 11 September.
* Asked if the Afghan leadership
had imposed certain preconditions to hand over Osama Bin Laden to the
United States, the Spokesman said:
We are not going to comment on
any details of these discussions until the delegation returns. Basically,
the purpose of the delegation was not negotiation, but to impress upon
the Taliban leadership the gravity of the situation.
* To another question if for
the negotiation process with the Afghan leadership had the support and
approval of the United States, the Spokesman observed:
As I said, there is no negotiation
effort. This is an effort as a friend, a well-wisher of Afghanistan,
and as a country which has stood with Afghanistan in very difficult
circumstances, to convey to their leadership our assessment of the situation
and our view as to what needs to be done and what the international
community is expecting from them.
* When asked about the reason
behind the extended stay of the delegation in Afghanistan – whether
the dialogue was going on or they were waiting for the reply of the
Afghan leadership, the Spokesman said:
The delegation went from Kandahar
to Kabul, where they had further discussion with some other leaders.
They are also supposed to visit our Embassy there, and would be returning
sometime today.
* To a question about the position
of Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, the Spokesman stated:
The border is closed for any
incoming Afghans unless they have valid documents. Pakistan has also
heightened vigilance along the border and we keep an eye on any person
who may be suspect. The major worry that we have at present, is that
hundreds of thousands of Afghans are leaving and heading towards Pakistan.
According to our information, several thousand have gathered close to
Torkham and a similar number close to Chaman. Our border with Afghanistan
is more than 2,500 kilo meters long and extremely difficult. It cannot
be sealed but we are trying to exercise vigilance along the border as
much as possible.
* Asked if there was any deadline
given to the Afghans to reach a decision, the Spokesman said:
Afghanistan has not been given
any deadline and we have not sent the delegation to give a deadline.
It basically has gone to impress upon the Afghan leadership the seriousness
of the situation, that they have to take a decision and naturally they
should do so quickly.
* Asked if he had a confirmed
report about a large scale exodus of foreign national from Pakistan,
the Spokesman observed:
May be some of the Embassies
have sent out a few people from their staff, but I am not aware of any
large scale exodus from Islamabad. But what I see is a large scale invasion
of press people in Islamabad.
* Asked that what kind of support
some of the Muslim and other friendly countries had extended to Pakistan
in the emerging situation; and secondly, whether Pakistan had protested
against the use of the term "crusade" as by the U.S. leadership and
media, the Spokesman stated:
Yes, there was a special envoy
from Saudi Arabia and we have also received messages from some Islamic
and other friendly countries. President Bush had made a telephone call
to our President. There is a special envoy of the Chinese President
in the city today. He had meetings with the President. So these are
the kind of consultations and contacts that normally we have with our
friends in such critical situations.
As regards your second question,
what I see is that there is an effort on the part of the U.S. and the
world leadership to emphasize the correct perspective of the situation.
I have also seen the U.N. Secretary General saying that nothing should
be done which can create any cultural divides and lead to consequences
that nobody wants. Basically the war is against terrorism and Pakistan
is a part of an international coalition and consensus on the issue.
To a question regarding the situation
being faced by the Afghans following discontinuation of aid and complete
isolation after 11 September incidents, the Spokesman stated:
At present we have closed our
borders. Nothing is going across except food and some other necessary
items because the question is not punishing the Afghan people or Afghanistan.
The food is necessary, otherwise there would be an exodus of hundreds
of thousands of Afghans into Pakistan. We already have 2.5 million Afghan
refugees in Pakistan and it is very difficult for us to accept further
burden. So some food is certainly going inside Afghanistan. As regards
the question of isolation, our delegation has gone there and we are
discussing with them the situation as exists.
* To a question about the basis
of the position Pakistan has taken viz-a-viz Afghanistan, the Spokesman
said:
Pakistan’s position is based
on our well-known opposition to terrorism and our obligation to abide
by the U.N. Security Council Resolutions. This is a Charter obligation
and as I referred right in the beginning, there are specific resolutions
1267, 1333 and now 1368. The contents of those resolutions are very
clear. That is the demand which the international community has been
making on the Afghan government for quite some time and we hope that
the Afghan leadership will take decisions which are in the interest
and well-being of the Afghan people and their country.
To a question the Spokesman told
in unequivocal terms that there were no U.S. military experts / personnel
in Pakistan at present. As far as we know, no precise plans or contingencies
have yet been worked out by the United States. So the question of any
plan already being put into operation and any military personnel being
in Pakistan does not arise.
* Asked if there was a chance
of negotiations between the Taliban and the Bush Administration and
would Pakistan be prepared to facilitate such a contact, the Spokesman
said:
This is all speculation and does
not concern us. We have not been asked for any such intercession. What
we have done, as I said earlier, is motivated by our feeling of friendship
and the close bonds of brotherhood that we have with Afghanistan. That
is why the President was moved to send this delegation and a message
to the Afghan leadership.
* When asked to give more details
about the dialogue with the Chinese special envoy and if it was true
that Pakistan was trying to seek certain concessions from Washington
for its support, the Spokesman said:
About the Chinese envoy, as I
have said, he is here and having working meetings at the Foreign Office
and has also called on the President. He would be leaving soon.
As regards the second part of
your question, the under-pinning of our position of full support extended
by President Musharraf in the fight against terrorism to President Bush
and the U.S. Government, are our well-established policy of abhorrence
and opposition to terrorism and an obligation to abide by the Security
Council Resolutions. As regards our other interests, like debt relief
or removal of sanctions etc., we have been pursuing them in the past,
and will surely continue that in the future, as well. This is not a
new policy.
* Asked if China had expressed
concern with regard to the likely American attack against Afghanistan,
the Spokesman said:
We have had consultations with
the Chinese special envoy regarding the present situation. Naturally
the Chinese are very much interested in our views and vice versa. These
kind of consultations are necessary among close friends that we have
been having with China in the past, as well.
* Asked if the relatives and
family members of the Taliban leaders were also coming along with the
refugees, the Spokesman said:
There are hundreds of thousands
of Afghan refugees who we understand are moving towards Pakistan. This
is not a new problem. We faced this problem later last year. There were
very large number of Afghan refugees coming into Pakistan because of
drought conditions and fear of sanctions. We received during the first
six months about 200,000 Afghan refugees. After that we had to close
the border and we requested the U.N. agencies that they should provide
the relief to the Afghans inside Afghanistan so that they did not have
come over Pakistan. We said that they should provide relief both in
the Northern Alliance controlled and the Taliban controlled areas so
that they need not move to Pakistan.
Now that all the U.N. agencies
and other humanitarian agencies have packed up their operations inside
Afghanistan, there is no international relief work going on there. This
is quite understandable that these people in search of food and relief
may be heading towards Pakistan. Many thousands have already entered
Pakistan and many thousands are stranded close to our border. Some of
them may be able to take the trails and enter into Pakistan as the established
routes have been already closed. We have requested the U.N. agencies
to mobilize all resources possible to help these people.
I can assure you that these are
not just few families who are coming, it is a mass of humanity which
is coming to Pakistan. We have so far been so involved with these vast
number of people who have entered our country to try to provide some
kind of assistance, that we do not even care that who is the Taliban
family. There may be families of Taliban leaders who have relatives
in the city and do not come to the camps.
* Asked about the position of
the meeting of the Six plus Two group, the Spokesman said:
The group was supposed to meet
on the margin of the U.N. General Assembly. So far our information is,
the General Assembly’s regular session would be convened on 24th onwards
and it is quite possible that the group also holds its meetings. But
the level at which it would meet is yet to be determined in view of
the abnormal situation in New York.
* To a question with regard to
the likelihood of convening of an OIC meeting, the Spokesman said:
We have heard that some members
of the OIC are in touch with each other and may get in touch with the
OIC Secretary General to consider the situation. There is a procedure
to follow . Once the procedure is initiated, we will get to know.
* When his comments were sought
on reported hurling of threats by Afghan authorities on Pakistan, the
Spokesman said:
Pakistan has taken a strong note
of what the Afghan Ambassador has said and it was one of the subjects
which would be taken up by our visiting delegation with the Afghan leadership.
Pakistan has been the only country which has recognized and maintained
diplomatic relations and has tried to be helpful even in their communication
with the rest of the world, and would not expect that there would be
hostile action on the part of the Afghan Emirate against Pakistan.
One thing should be pretty clear
that it is not a fight against the Afghan people or Afghanistan. There
is no question of punishing the Afghans. The question is of fight against
terrorism, tracking down and punishing perpetrators of the terrible
crimes which took place in New York and Washington on 11 September.
Source:
http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-22.htm
"[In a Press
Release the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s of Pakistan said] A high level
Pakistan delegation led by the Director General ISI, Lt.Gen. Mahmood
and including senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs flew
out to Afghanistan today to meet with Afghan government leaders. The
delegation is carrying a special message from the President, General
Pervez Musharraf for the leader of the Afghan government, Mullah Umar.
During its stay in Afghanistan,
the delegation would impress upon the Afghan government leadership the
gravity of the current situation following the terrorists' attacks in
USA and what is expected of them by the international community. The
delegation would urge Afghan government leadership to act in the interest
of the safety and security of the Afghan people. Pakistan and Afghanistan
have age-old ties of brotherhood and it is in this spirit that the government
of Pakistan has moved to drive home to the Afghan government the dangerous
situation faced by Afghanistan and the need to avert it through prudence
and discretion.
The President, General Pervez
Musharraf has repeatedly condemned terrorism and has strongly denounced
the recent terrorists' attacks in New York and Washington in which thousand
of lives were lost including those of many Pakistanis. He has made it
clear that Pakistan will work with the international community in combating
terrorism. "
-- Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Pakistan, September 17, 2001
Pakistan is against
all types of terrorism and we are not responsible for the act carried
out by Afghanistan… The government of Pakistan has engaged with National
Security Council and the Cabinet to discuss the current crisis and we
are considering the United States requirements on fighting terrorism
in the region,"
-- Lt. General (Retd.) Moinuddin
Haider, Interior Minister, Pakistan, September 15, 2001
Transcript
of Pakistan Foreign Minister
Abdus Sattar’s
Press Conference, September 15, 2001
Opening Statement
The National Security Council
and the Federal Cabinet met this afternoon with President Pervez Musharraf
in the chair. The meeting observed one minute’s silence in memory of
the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on September
11.
In the course of an incisive
four hour discussion, the meeting took note that the terrorist attacks
had provoked shock and outrage throughout the world including Pakistan.
The people of Pakistan share the universal grief and sorrow at the loss
of thousands of innocent lives in the barbaric terrorist attacks. A
number of Pakistanis also died in the catastrophe.
The General Assembly of the United
Nations adopted a resolution on 12 September strongly condemning the
acts of terrorism, expressing condolences and solidarity with the people
and Government of the United States and calling for international cooperation
to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of the
outrage and for urgent action to enhance international cooperation to
prevent and eradicate acts of terrorism.
On the same day, the Security
Council unanimously adopted resolution 1368. Emphasising that the terrorist
acts represented a threat to international peace and security, the Security
Council called on all States to work together urgently to bring to justice
the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these terrorist attacks
stressing that those responsible for supporting and harbouring the terrorists
would be held accountable.
The meeting also noted that Article
25 of the Charter requires Member States to "accept and carry out the
decisions of the Security Council".
The meeting further noted that
the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference
has condemned the terrorist attacks.
The NSC and the Cabinet reached
consensus on the policy of full support to the world community in combating
international terrorism. Consistent with Pakistan’s policy of compliance
with the decisions of the Security Council, the Government will discharge
its responsibilities under international law.
The NSC and the Cabinet further
recommended that the President take the nation into confidence about
the grave international situation and its implications for Pakistan’s
security. To that end, the President will meet with political personalities
and opinion leaders including the Ulema.
At the commencement of the meeting,
President Pervez Musharraf briefed the NSC and the Cabinet about the
actions taken by the Government in the emergency situation, and its
contacts with the Government of the United States. Pakistan has also
been in touch with the People’s Republic of China, Saudi Arabia and
other friendly countries.
Question-Answer Session
The following issues were discussed
during the Question-Answer Session :–
* Asked about the advantages
and the disadvantages of the decisions made by the National Security
Council and the Federal Cabinet and if it was true that Pakistan had
conceded to all the demands of the United States including stationing
of international forces inside Pakistan, the Foreign Minister stated:
I will not summarise for you
the details of the four hours discussions in the Cabinet, but I would
like to assure you and specially the people of Pakistan that in the
course of this meeting, all the factors were considered in detail and
taken into account in arriving at the consensus.
As for your second question,
the government of Pakistan has received a list of proposals from the
United States for specific cooperation and support. Our response will
be consistent with our firm policy of opposition to international terrorism.
As you are well aware, Pakistan has already declared that it will extend
full cooperation in the fight against international terrorism.
* To another question if Pakistan
had agreed to allow the United States to use its territory and airspace
for any possible attack against Afghanistan, the Foreign Minister said:
As I have said Pakistan has received
a number of proposals and I have indicated our declared policy of support
for the fight against the international terrorism. I will not be in
a position to discuss each and everyone of the specific proposals that
have been received by the Government of Pakistan.
* When his comments were sought
on reports emanating from Kabul that the Taliban would consider any
country their enemy that would provide ground or airspace facility to
the United States, and if the Foreign Minister could tell precisely
in `yes’ or `no’ whether Pakistan had allowed the United States to use
its airspace, the Foreign Minister observed :
The second part of your question
first, I have indicated to you our firm policy of support. Now, we are
in the process of discussion with regard to details of the specific
proposals. I can only indicate to you our general policy of support
for the fight against terrorism.
Yes, we have seen the statement
of the Emirate of Afghanistan. Before I address that statement specifically,
let me say that Afghanistan is a neighbour of Pakistan. The people of
Pakistan have close ties of culture with the people of Afghanistan.
We have always maintained mutual solidarity, and I want to assure especially
our own people and the people of Afghanistan, that Pakistan will continue
to act in conformity with our policy of support for the State of Afghanistan
and the well-being of the people of Afghanistan.
* When his attention was drawn
to the closure of Islamabad airport the previous night and the rumors
going around with regard to the closure, the Foreign Minister stated:
Yes, I understand that the Islamabad
airport was closed for some hours last night. Some of you Ladies and
Gentlemen may be responsible partly for that. A chartered aeroplane
entered Pakistan’s airspace without prior clearance and that had to
be escorted to Islamabad airport while the airport was closed. Secondly,
there was some other information that our authorities received that
necessitated the precaution of closing the airport for a period of time.
That report was later not confirmed and the airport was reopened.
I may add here that a Special
Envoy of the Government of Saudi Arabia also came by a special plane
and he was received at the airport.
* Asked as to how Pakistan felt
about the threat given by the Taliban Government that they would consider
it declaration of war against them if any country facilitated the Untied
States with regard to attack against them, the Foreign Minister said:
The Government of Pakistan is
in touch with the Government of the Emirate of Afghanistan. We continue,
as before, to exchange views with them in the spirit of friendship.
We would not like to comment on this, because it did not mention Pakistan
by name. If the need be, Pakistan will discuss this matter with the
Government of Afghanistan.
* Asked as to when Pakistan was
going to respond to the United States regarding its proposals and if
Islamabad subscribed to Washington’s allegation that Osama bin Laden
was the prime suspect in recent acts of terrorist in the States, the
Foreign Minister said :
Pakistan is already in a process
of discussion at high levels with the officials of the Government of
the Untied States. Our responses are in line with our policy of support
and cooperation in the fight against international terrorism. So far
as the time frame to respond, we are already, as I have said, in touch
with them. The process of response has already begun, but the responses
need precision and clarification.
* Asked if Pakistan would go
to the extent of supporting military action against Afghanistan, the
Foreign Minister stated:
Pakistan will comply with the
decisions of the Security Council. To the best of my information no
final decisions have been made by the world community so far.
* To a related query the Foreign
Minister clarified that Pakistan did not expect in any way to participate
in any military operations outside its borders.
* Asked if Pakistan would allow
the use its soil and airspace by a distant and not so friendly State
against a neighbouring and brotherly Muslim State, the Foreign Minister
said:
I have not said at any time that
Pakistan is going to participate in a war against any country. Please
note, what I have said is, that Pakistan will extend full cooperation
in the fight against international terrorism. The specifics of that
policy will be determined as the situation evolves.
* Asked if the United States
had provided to Pakistan any kind of evidence with regard to Osama bin
Laden’s involvement in the recent acts of terrorism in the Untied States,
the Foreign Minister stated:
We have not asked for any evidence.
It is not for us to make a judgment. The evidence will be, I am sure,
forthcoming. You are watching already the international media with regard
to that evidence, but Pakistan is not sitting in judgment on this issue.
That is an issue which has to be determined by the world community.
I would like to refer to you the resolutions of the UN Security Council
1267 and 1333, which have spelled out requirements of the Security Council
in regard to the actions that have to be taken.
* Asked as to how Pakistan could
refuse to participate under the UN umbrella now, when during the Gulf
War Pakistan had sent its troops to help the allied forces, the Foreign
Minister said :
In the first place, I would like
to say that we are not aware of any decision that have been made to
that effect. Therefore, that question does not arise. We have not been
asked or suggested by anybody that Pakistan should take part in any
such international operation. To the best of our information, no such
decisions have been made by the international community.
* Asked if Pakistan was with
Afghanistan or with the United States at the moment, the Foreign Minister
observed:
As already indicated, we have
had firstly a strong relationship of solidarity between Afghanistan
and Pakistan. We have had close exchanges of views between the two countries;
we have not always agreed in regard to policies, but we remain committed
to maintaining dialogue with the Government of Afghanistan. Let me also
say that Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan has been demonstrated
by the support that we have already extended to the Afghan people, particularly
in their struggle against foreign intervention in the decade of 1980s.
Pakistan is one of the three countries that recognized the Taliban Government
indicating our policy of maintaining contact and dialogue with the Government
in power in Afghanistan. Thirdly, Pakistan has not only maintained dialogue,
we have also provided a channel of communication for other friendly
countries, and has on several occasions interceded on behalf of these
countries within the limits of our influence.
* When asked about the chances
of Pakistan’s participation in a meeting being held in Tajikistan at
the initiative of Iran and with the support of Russia and the CARs,
the Foreign Minister said:
We have not received any invitation
to participate in such a dialogue; but if we do, we shall give it a
very serious consideration.
* To a question with regard proposals
or demands about closure of Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, the
Foreign Minister said:
Pakistan has taken certain precautions
in view of the tense situation. We have increased vigilance on our border.
We do not want our borders to be violated by any one. We have also decided
nine months ago that Pakistan will implement the sanctions resolution
of the Security Council No.1333 which does not call for any restrictions
on normal trade. As far as military supplies are concerned Pakistan
has already taken action to prevent any flow of military supplies or
assistance across our border.
* To a query with regard to the
supply of fuel; the Foreign Minister said that fuel at present is not
included in the United Nations sanctions.
* Asked what cost Pakistan would
expect for its cooperation to eradicate international terrorism, the
Foreign Minister said :
We have had general discussions
on the implication of such cooperation. Such cooperation first of all
is consistent with our position against terrorism.
Also let me say that Pakistan
has for several years confronted very serious difficulties, economic
and others, because of the sanctions that the Untied States imposed
on us in 1990. We have been in discussions with the United States over
a long period of time in this regard and all of us in Pakistan are fully
cognizant of the implications and consequences of the evolving situation
and we will discuss how these emerging problems will be alleviated.
* Asked If Pakistan had requested
the States for economic assistance or for removal of sanctions, the
Foreign Minister said :
We have not made any specific
request.
* Asked about the kind of cooperation
that Pakistan could extend to combat terrorism, the Foreign Minister
said:
The cooperation is implicit in
Pakistan’s compliance with the resolutions and conventions of the world
community. Pakistan is party to a number of conventions and treaties
for combating international terrorism and we are participating in that.
You are well aware that over the past years Pakistan has extended cooperation
in investigating, arresting and even extraditing persons against whom
there was evidence of involvement in crimes of terrorism. So our record
of cooperation is quite clear with the world community and as the situation
evolves in the light of the Security Council’s resolution of 12 September,
we will take further action.
* Asked if the Foreign Office
was reshuffling its staff stationed in various missions abroad in the
wake of the emerging situation, the Foreign Minister said:
It is a normal and a routine
exercise in the Foreign Office. Whenever a situation in any part of
the world becomes tense, we take administrative measures in the interest
of security of our diplomatic and consular premises and the safety of
our personnel. These actions are routine and they have been taken and
will be taken as and when necessary.
* Asked if the border with China
had been closed, the Foreign Minister said :
I have not heard this at all.
* Asked if the Joint Meeting
of the National Security Council and the Cabinet had approved the recommendations
of the Corps Commanders’ meeting, held the previous day, the Foreign
Minister stated:
The Cabinet was not called upon
to approve the recommendations. The Cabinet and the National Security
Council considered all the proposals and recommendations that have been
made to the Government of Pakistan.
Source:
http://www.forisb.org/FOS01-21.htm
"The people of
Pakistan are deeply shocked and outraged at the dreadful terrorist attacks
in New York and Washington, which have resulted in unprecedented loss
of thousands of innocent lives. It is difficult to describe in words
our sorrow and grief at this moment of national tragedy for the American
people. I have conveyed the deepest condolences and sympathy of the
people and Government of Pakistan to President George Bush, the bereaved
families and the American people in a message last evening.
We strongly condemn this barbaric
act of terrorism, which will live in memory as a most heinous crime
against humanity. As the world tries to grasp the magnitude of the tragedy
and mourns those who have perished, we pray for the recovery of thousands
of others who have suffered injuries.
We regard terrorism as an evil
that threatens the world community. Concerted international effort is
needed to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The carnage
in New York and Washington has raised this struggle to a new level.
Pakistan has been extending cooperation to international efforts to
combat terrorism in the past and will continue to do so. All countries
must join hands in this common cause.
I wish to assure President Bush
and the US Government of our unstinted cooperation in the fight against
terrorism. "
-- Statement by the President
of Pakistan, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Islamabad, September 12, 2001
"My dear Pakistanis!
The despicable and devastating
act against innocent people in New York and Washington has caused great
anguish and concern among the Government and the people of Pakistan.
As a peace-loving nation we join the world community in strongly condemning
these brutal acts and the consequent loss of precious lives. Terrorism
is a threat to humanity and to the human civilization. Pakistan condemns
all acts of terrorism anywhere in the world and shares the sorrow and
grief of the people of the United States.
I urge upon all of you, living
in the United States of America, to extend all possible help and assistance
to all victims. I urge you to step forward and donate much needed blood
for the injured. Step out and provide your service and your resources
to all those who need them there.
I am confident you would rise
to the occasion and assist, help and assuage the grieved. My heart goes
out to the famalies of all those who have suffered and particularly
to the families of those who lost their lives whether Americans, Pakistanis
or from any other country."
-- Appeal by President of Pakistan,
Gen. Pervez Musharraf to the people of Pakistan, September 12, 2001
"The Government
of Pakistan strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in New York and
Washington, which have caused great loss of innocent lives. The people
of Pakistan are deeply shocked by these heinous acts of terrorism. They
share the deep sorrow and grief of the people of the United States in
this hour of national tragedy.
Terrorism poses the gravest challenge
to the stability and progress of contemporary societies. International
community must unite and resolutely fight this evil in all its forms.
Itself a victim, Pakistan feels deep indignation at these most barbaric
acts of terrorism against the people of the United States. The Government
of Pakistan hopes that the perpetrators of these outrageous crimes will
be apprehended and punished soon. "
-- Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Pakistan, September 11, 2001
"The people and Government of Pakistan deeply mourn the enormous
and unprecedented loss of innocent lives in the terrorist attacks in New
York and Washington. We share the grief of the American people in this
grave national tragedy.
We strongly condemn this most
brutal and horrible act of terror and violence. The world must unite
to fight against terrorism in all its forms and root out this modem
day evil.
At this moment of shock and tragedy,
I convey to you, to the bereaved families and the American people our
most profound sympathy and condolences.
-- Message to George Bush, President
of the United States, from General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan,
September 11, 2001
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