Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 23/04/2007

Transcript of Press Briefing on 23 April 2007

Question/Answers

Asked with reference to the President Pervaiz Musharraf's offer of mediation between Israel and Palestinian authorities, how Pakistan could play a mediatory role when it had not recognized Israel , the Spokesperson said:

The initiative the President took earlier was in view of the deteriorating situation all around—in Palestine , Iraq , and tension between Iran and the US . That initiative led to the meeting of 7 Foreign Ministers. Subsequently, the President, along with two other non-Arab leaders from these 7 countries, was invited to the Arab League Summit which is unprecedented.

There have been many positive developments such as the reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, visit by President Ahmadinejad to Riyadh

As regards the President's remarks, they were in response to a question. It basically reflected the willingness of the President to take any step if there was an assurance that it would help in the resolution of the Palestine issue which is at the heart of the situation in the Middle East . Pakistan is willing to play a role for a just resolution of the Palestine issue.

Asked why Pakistan was so eager to play a role in the Middle East when apparently on one wanted it to do so, the Spokesperson said:

Pakistan is ready to play a role because the situation in the Middle East is deteriorating and it directly impacts Pakistan . Also, a number of Arab and Muslim leaders had requested the President to play a role.

When asked specifically about the “parameters” of this likely role that Pakistan wishes to play, the spokesperson said:

We will talk about the parameters when we reach that stage.

Asked if Pakistan 's role meant recognition of Israel and if Pakistan would go as far as recognizing Israel , the Spokesperson said:

This is speculative and I am not ready to speculate.

When her views were sought on the kidnapping of the BBC journalist in Palestine , the Spokesperson said:

We understand there is going to be a vigil for him today. We hope and pray that he is safe and would be released soon by whoever is holding him. Journalists try to do their work in difficult circumstances in conflict zones and they report what is happening on the ground. They generally do not take sides. It is important that their safety is ensured by parties to the conflict.

When her attention was drawn to a statement by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and asked if it undermined the Two-\nation theory and whether the concept of Enlightened Moderation made the Two-Nation theory irrelevant, the Spokesperson said:

He might have said something in India 's domestic context.
There is no need to be paranoid. Nations exist and Pakistan exists because we have the will to exist. Pakistan will live and we do not need to justify our existence to anyone. We should have confidence in ourselves.

Asked about the agenda of the President's visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina , the Spokesperson said:

We issued a press release earlier about the Presidents' visit. However, I can provide you further details of the programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina . The President will hold a meeting with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina . Some agreements will be signed. The President will address the joint session of the parliament. He will meet the Prime Minister as well as the business executives. The President will also launch his book there. He will also meet with inter religious council.

Asked about how the trilateral meeting on 29-30 of May in Ankara would help in improving relations between Islamabad and Kabul when an earlier trilateral meeting arranged by President George Bush failed to deliver, the Spokesperson said:

Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbours. Pakistan has always stood by Afghanistan in times of adversity. We want good relations with Afghanistan . We want peace and stability in Afghanistan which is important not only for Afghanistan but also for Pakistan and the entire region.

There have been statements from Afghanistan which reflect lack of understanding of Pakistan 's position and policies and what we have been doing to ensure that there is no cross-border movement of undesirable elements and our territory is not used in any manner detrimental to Afghan interests.

However, it is clear that Afghanistan continues to face problems particularly in South and South East. These relate to the lack reconciliation, reconstruction, problems of drugs, war lords and other criminals.

On our side, we continue to be saddled with the presence of close to three million Afghan refugees. There are reports that Taliban are finding shelter in these refugee camps. We are addressing this problem and we want the refugees to go back to Afghanistan . We are also strengthening border controls. In this environment, it is important that the two leaders meet. The Turkish Prime Minister took this initiative and the President accepted his invitation. It is not a question of Turkish leadership resolving any problem but it is another opportunity for meeting for dialogue for taking this process of interaction with each other forward.

In response to another question about the firing by Afghan forces inside our territory and if Pakistan could take up the issue in the trilateral commission, the Spokesperson said:

We have a Tripartite Commission and other mechanisms to address such issues. Yes, this matter was raised and there was an apology. However, the policy to strengthen border controls will continue. It is part of our response to complaints that our territory is being used by Taliban and others to create trouble in Afghanistan .

When her comments were sought on the show-cause notice the Aaj TV had been serve by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), the Spokesperson said:

This is not an issue with which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deals. Perhaps it would be more fruitful to raise it with the Ministry of Information and with PEMRA. I suggest that you convey your sentiments to them. On our part, we want to have the best of relations with media. We want to keep you informed of the developments in our area of responsibility and interact with you regularly and we want to preserve this relationship. But if there are problems between PEMRA and a Television network or any newspaper I would suggest that it should be raised with the Ministry of Information.

Asked about the Jirga Commission, the Spokesperson said:

The jirga members of the jirga Commission from Afghanistan visited Pakistan last month and members of the jirga Commission of Pakistan will go to Afghanistan next month but I do not know the exact date.