PR. No.196/2007

Date: 25/07/2007

COMMENTS ON BASELESS ASSERTIONS

When asked to comment on the reported assertions made by Alastair Campbell, Press Secretary of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in his recently published diaries, the Spokesperson said that if Mr. Campbell is referring to the October 2001 visit of the British Prime Minister, the meeting between the President of Pakistan and the British Prime Minister was without doubt cordial. The President listened to the point of view of Mr. Blair. He also conveyed to Mr. Blair our perceptions and concerns including those relating to terrorism and the evolving situation in Afghanistan at that time. Pakistan always rejected terrorism and never condoned Taliban providing shelter to Al-Qaeda elements. This was our consistent position even before 9/11. It is presumptuous of Mr. Campbell to have thought that the visit was to get a “proper fix” on the Pakistani President.

In his reference to the Kashmiri struggle, Mr. Campbell has again missed the point. Pakistan has always maintained that the Kashmiri freedom struggle is indigenous. This is also how Kashmiris see their struggle. No one can forget that in 1947 it was the departing British who were responsible for the most tragic let down for the Kashmiri people that has caused so much suffering.

Islamabad

25 July 2007