PR. No.211/2008

Date: 11/07/2008   

ADDRESS BY MAKHDOOM SHAH MAHMOOD QURESHI,

FOREIGN MINISTER OF PAKISTAN ,

AT THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON , DC

JULY 11, 2008

Distinguished scholars,

Ladies and Gentlemen!

I express my deep appreciation to Mr. Strobe Talbot, President of the Brookings Institution, Steve Cohen, and Bruce Riedel, for a warm welcome extended to me in this prestigious institution. I take this opportunity to share my thoughts on “ Opportunities and Challenges of Pakistan's Foreign Policy .”

We have recently seen a difficult period in our history, and we continue to mourn the death of our icon of democracy Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. But from challenge has come the strength. We are more determined than ever in our history to promote the ideals of peace, security, development and reconciliation between cultures, values and societies.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the past, the United States and Pakistan have stood side by side through perilous times. We look forward to continue to work with you and your great country in confronting the problems that nations face in this millennium – terrorism, extremism, poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease.

The United States and Pakistan have also been longstanding allies. Pakistan 's founder Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah laid the foundation of this relationship immediately after our nation's independence in 1947. Together, we now look forward to building a new, more mature, long-term partnership based on common values and common goals.

During the visit of President Bush to Islamabad in March 2006, our two countries affirmed a “Strategic Partnership” focused on strengthening the foundation for a strong and enduring relationship, and promoting multifaceted cooperation. We are cooperating in various fields including trade and economy; defence and security; health and education; science and technology; and counter-terrorism and non-proliferation.

We believe that a deeper and sustained economic partnership between our two countries would contribute to combating extremism -- by strengthening our economic growth trajectory, by fulfilling the social and economic needs of our people, and by consolidating democratic governance in Pakistan .

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Pakistan believes that there is an intrinsic link between peace and development. Peace on our borders can strengthen stability and bring economic development as well as the much needed improvement in the quality of life of our people.

Pakistan has suffered twice for Afghanistan – first, when we supported the world's efforts to drive out the Soviets which made a vital contribution to the success of freedom movements in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, and then more recently, after 9/11. Pakistan can realize its dream of becoming a regional trading and energy hub only if Afghanistan is politically and economically stable. We wish Afghanistan peace and stability for their sake and for our own sake.

The fight against terrorism is not America 's fight alone. We, in Pakistan , have been the victims of terrorism and extremism, and we have paid a heavy price, and more than 1,000 of our brave soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice while confronting this menace. But the fight against terrorism is a multifaceted fight, not just a military one. Our comprehensive strategy seeks to isolate and marginalize the extremists and combines political engagement, economic development and social reforms.

In the long-term, socio-economic development is the key to winning the hearts and minds of the people. And because of the democratic elections that took place in Pakistan this year, our government now has a legitimate mandate from the people to confront the forces of terrorism wherever they rear their ugly heads, and to build a just and equitable society where parents have faith that their children's lives will be better than their own.

Our effort is to mobilize our people behind the policies of the government as we move forward with a political dialogue to complement our military strategy, aimed at achieving peace agreement with those who desire peace and are willing to lay down their arms. Pakistan will not negotiate with terrorists. And Pakistan will not permit its territory to be used by anyone against any country.

While we prefer dialogue over use of force, for obvious reasons, we are not shy to employ force where it is required, as is evident from the recent operations in Khyber Agency.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The challenge of terrorism is such that no single country, howsoever strong, can deal with it alone. This is a global challenge that requires a global response and global strategy. As allies, Pakistan and the U.S. need to coordinate closely and cooperate closely. This is essential in order to be able to deal with challenge in the short-term perspective as well as the long-term perspective.

The ROZs legislation that was recently introduced in the US Congress is an example of how we can help each other. I am confident that an effective ROZs plan would surely go a long way in helping us expand economic opportunities and wean the innocent people away from the appeal of extremism and terrorism. Similarly, the $2 billion FATA Development Plan, to which the U.S. is contributing $750 million over a five-year period, would help accelerate economic growth and social sector development in the Tribal Areas, thus contributing to the efforts to deliver the tribal people from the clutches of poverty, illiteracy and underdevelopment.

Ladies and Gentlemen ,

For too long, our bilateral relationship has hinged heavily on cooperation in security areas. But luckily, a clear realization from both sides in the post 9/11 phase is of the need to broaden and deepen the relationship, through expanding cooperation across a broad spectrum -- from agriculture to trade to energy to education to science & technology. We already have institutional mechanisms for promoting cooperation in these areas. The results achieved so far are below potential. The new government of Pakistan is determined to realize that potential.

Nothing can be more effective in truly broadening the base of our relationship than an expansion in bilateral trade. And nothing can be more helpful in enabling Pakistan achieve its goals of lifting millions out of poverty and keeping the economy on a sustainable trajectory of stability and growth than market access. For these reasons, there is no alternative to the two countries signing an Free Trade Agreement (FTA) of which a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) can be a part, as the U.S. has done with several countries.

And, while all key areas are of utmost importance, Pakistan-U.S. collaboration to meet our energy shortages and to strengthen our energy security could hardly be overemphasized.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In Afghanistan , Pakistan has a vital stake in peace and stability. We cannot think of a scenario where Pakistan can benefit from the continuing turmoil in Afghanistan . For that reason, it is baffling when we come across the insinuations that Pakistan was in any way responsible for the present or past crises in Afghanistan . We will, nevertheless, continue our support for Afghanistan 's political stability, economic development, and social progress -- for reasons of our own vested interest.

We are also committed to continuing the process of composite dialogue with our eastern neighbor, India . The time is now for taking bold steps to take the two countries out of the cycle of hostility, acrimony, and mutual suspicion.

It is our hope that the leadership of the two countries would not shy away from taking such steps and move beyond the CBMs to engaging in a serious dialogue to address the real issues, notably the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir .

Pakistan , as you know has shown flexibility and emphasized the need for out-of-box thinking. There is a general feeling and public perception in Pakistan that a matching response should come from India . The India-Pakistan dialogue should now move for resolving the conflicts rather than lingering on with them.

And the two countries, despite their best efforts, would not succeed in achieving any real breakthrough, without the support and encouragement of their friends.

We appreciate the constructive role that the United States has played in encouraging the peace process in South Asia . But its role should not remain confined to conflict management and should also extend to facilitating conflict resolution.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have seen in the past that democracy in Pakistan has invariably led to a better relationship between the two countries. Both Pakistan and India have posted the highest rates of growth in the region in the past several years and their economic performance has been startling. Better diplomatic, cultural and trade relations will only help boost their progress.

However, given the past history of distrust, dramatic changes cannot be expected very quickly. But the trend is certainly positive and is likely to continue under the new government. My recent visit to New Delhi was a step forward in this direction.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China would continue to figure prominently in Pakistan 's foreign policy. Our time-tested relationship with China continues to expand in all fields including trade, investments, economic cooperation, security, energy and telecommunications. China has also been a key partner in developing the Gwadar port in the southwest of Pakistan which has already become operational.

Some speculative theories notwithstanding, Gwadar is an economic project designed to help speed the process of economic development through tapping the opportunities of regional cooperation in transit and trade.

Pakistan 's relations with the Middle Eastern countries are deeply rooted in the religious and cultural affinities, geographical proximity and shared historical experiences. These brotherly relations are marked by identity of views and a commitment of mutual support on vital issues.

We firmly believe that a just and peaceful resolution of the Palestine issue is important for durable peace and stability in the Middle East . Pakistan has consistently extended support to the two-state solution whereby both Palestine and Israel can live side by side.

This will require withdrawal of Israel from occupied Arab territories including Jerusalem and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions. Pakistan supports the Quartet's Roadmap and the Arab Peace Plan based on a two-state solution. We also support the understanding reached at Annapolis for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State , addressing all core issues, with a timeline of end-2008 and for following the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. Urgent efforts are also needed to address the Gaza situation and mitigating the enormous sufferings of the Palestinian people there. The international community, particularly the United States , must help to ensure a just and equitable solution of the long festering Palestinian dispute.

The situation in Iraq remains a matter of concern to the Muslim world. Pakistan attaches great importance to Iraq 's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and wishes to see an early end to the violence and return of stability and normalcy to Iraq .

Pakistan also attaches great significance to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) as a representative organization of 57 Muslim states and the millions of Muslims living as minorities around the world. Pakistan has a central and leadership role within the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Last year, Pakistan chaired the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

Our focus has been to make the Organization more effective and dynamic in order to represent and advance the interests of the Muslim world at the global level and that it should also be a vehicle of greater economic integration in the Muslim world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The newly elected government of Pakistan faces a host of daunting challenges, both political and economic. But there are exciting opportunities as well. We are confident that we will succeed in meeting these challenges head on and in realizing our full potential with the support of the people of Pakistan . The support and cooperation of our friends and allies, notably the United States , would be important.

Thank you.

Islamabad

11 July 2008