Address By Chief Executive of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf at The Millennium Summit of The United Nations at New York on September 6, 2000 (Extracts)

In the millenium summit of the United Nations held between September 5-8, Chief Executive of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf in his address raised the issue of Kashmir, preferring to project alleged 'excesses by Indian security force' even while remaining silent about the terrorist violence raging in the state. Relevant excerpts of the address is reproduced below.For the full text of the address click here.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Mr. President,

Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies.

We are passing through momentous times in the history of mankind. Just as every dawn inspires fresh hope; a new moon is an occasion for prayer; a new year for resolutions; so also the turn of the new millennium kindles hope for the future among humanity. For the first time in history, vistas are in sight for sufficiency and freedom from want.

In the last century blossoming of human ingenuity brought about a massive global transformation. However, the most remarkable achievement has been the formation of the United Nations, to uphold the ideals of justice, peace and prosperity.

This august body has resolved many major disputes and conflicts. In recent years UN intervention arrested massive human tragedies in Bosnia and Kosovo. Where ever there has been a departure from the UN Charter and defiance of UN decisions, disputes have festered, often leading to conflict. Of these, Kashmir and Palestine are the two prime examples, but with a difference. Whereas the international community and this world body are seriously engaged in finding a solution to the Palestine issue, Kashmir cries for justice even after 52 years.

Mr. President,

Pakistan is located in the world's most volatile region where one-fifth of humanity lives in a state of economic deprivation. While the global trend is for economic progress through regional cooperation, South Asia is embroiled in conflict. Why this tragedy? Only because the people of Kashmir remain deprived of justice. The consequence of this injustice has been four wars. The region stands heavily militarized, even nuclearized. This situation is certainly not of Pakistan's making. We have been obliged to respond to the compulsions of our security and have merely acted in self-defence.

Kashmir, the root cause of tension, has to be resolved. Ten million people of the state cannot be denied their fundamental right to self-determination. The savage brutalities and killing of seventy thousand people by seven hundred thousand troops have only hardened their resolve. They seek honouring of the pledges made to them by the United Nations. If the people of East Timor could be given their freedom, why not the people of Kashmir? When one party to a dispute is intransigent in rejecting the use of peaceful means, the Security Council is empowered to act. The problem lies not in the Charter but in the lack of political will. Until we produce that will, all talk of crisis prevention and dispute resolution will ring hollow.

Pakistan stands for peace and is prepared to take bold initiatives to change the status quo through a dialogue with India at any level, at any time and any where. Let me commit at this World Forum, that we desire a No War Pact; we are ready for a mutual reduction of forces; and we also seek a South Asia free from all nuclear weapons. Pakistan shall not be drawn into an arms race, nuclear or conventional, irrespective of provocation.