Spokesman Briefings

Date: 05/12/2007

Record of Press Briefing on 05 December, 2007

Opening Statement

Foreign Minister, Mr. Inamul Haque will be visiting India to participate in the 29 th Session of SAARC Council of Ministers being held in New Delhi from 7-8 December 2007.

The Council of Ministers is the second highest decision making forum of SAARC, next to SAARC Summit. It is composed of the Foreign Ministers of the SAARC Member States , and generally meets twice a year. Currently India holds the chairmanship of the Council.

During his two days stay in New Delhi , the Foreign Minister will represent Pakistan at the Council of Ministers meeting. The meeting will review the progress on the implementation of the decisions taken by the 14 th SAARC Summit held in New Delhi in April 2007, and give further direction to SAARC on various issues of common interest.

Pakistan attaches great importance to SAARC and has been playing a proactive role to make the forum a model for regional cooperation. Our cooperation and partnership within the SAARC framework is based on sound foundations of shared values and common aspirations for economic growth and social development with the aim to improving the welfare and quality of life of the people of South Asia . We have made substantial contribution towards all SAARC processes and taken a number of initiatives for the realization of its objectives.

Besides attending the SAARC Council of Ministers meeting, the Foreign Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his Indian counterpart, Mr. Parnab Mukherjee as well as other participating SAARC Foreign Ministers. Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh will also receive the SAARC Foreign Ministers.

Question/Answer Session

Q: India test fired a missile last month and another one last week. Was Pakistan intimated of these testings?

A: Information regarding test firing of ballistic missiles is exchanged under the bilateral Agreement on Pre-notification of Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles. The missile test fired by India on 21 November was not a ballistic missile so Pakistan was not informed. The missile test fired this week was a ballistic missile and Pakistan was duly informed.

Q: There have been reports in the media casting doubts about the security of the nuclear assets of Pakistan . Ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto earlier opined that fundamentalists can pose a threat to the nuclear assets of Pakistan . What are your comments on this?

A: We do not comment on statements of Pakistani politicians. As regards the foreign media reports on safety of nuclear assets, we have commented on them time and again. The nuclear assets of Pakistan are completely safe and secure. There is no danger of their falling in wrong hands. Our strong command and control system ensure their safety and complete security.

Q: Recent media reports speculated that the Commonwealth has approached Pakistan to stay involved with it. What is Pakistan 's position on interaction with the Commonwealth?

A: We have seen the media reports but are not aware of any approaches by the Commonwealth. As far as the decision regarding future relationship with the Commonwealth is concerned, it will be taken in due time. There is no hurry in this regard. The Commonwealth decision on Pakistan 's suspension, I must reiterate was hasty and unjustified.

Q: The feedback concerning the envoys sent to UK and US by the President is not very positive. It seems that they had an unexpectedly difficult job to accomplish. What are your comments on that?

A: The Government has sent two delegations comprising three members each to US and Europe . They are briefing the community, legislators, media and think-tanks. It is not unexpected or impossible for the delegations to do what they were expected to do.

Q: Two US human rights activists have been arrested in Lahore and there are reports that they will be deported. What is the latest update on that?

A: I don't have information on this right now but I will get it for you from the concerned authorities, if you remain interested.

Q: A few days ago President Bush reiterated the US position that if they have concrete information about Osama Bin Laden being inside Pakistan , they will carry direct intervention inside the country. Has Pakistan refuted this statement? What in reality is the position of Pakistan on this?

A: We did spoke about it immediately. The media had covered it. We have maintained that any action inside Pakistan 's territory will be taken by our armed forces. We are part of the global efforts against terrorism mainly because we believe that terrorism is a threat to our state and society. Also, we will not allow any other country to take military action inside Pakistan . This is our well known position and there is no secret understanding or deal on deviation from this policy.

Q: Have any dates been proposed for the Foreign Secretary level talks for the review meeting of the 4 th round of the Composite Dialogue?

A: No dates have been decided yet but we expect that the review meeting will be held early next year.

Q: US Government has deported 150 illegal Pakistani immigrants. What are your comments on this?

A: The number of Pakistanis deported today was 72. They were in different US prisons for various crimes but mostly immigration related violations. All of them were in US prisons. The options were to let them languish in jails or bring them back to Pakistan : It was decided to bring them back.

Q: The US NIE revealed that Iran had abandoned its nuclear program in 2003. What are your comments about the US intelligence reports implicating Pakistani scientists in aiding the Iranian program?

A: The so-called intelligence assessments that are published in the media should not be given much credence. They at times contradict their own earlier findings. Pakistan has not aided any country in their nuclear programme.

Q: The Turkish President in his recent visit referred to Pakistan Afghanistan Jirga. Update us about the Jirga and when its next meeting will be held?

A: The first meeting of the Grand Jirga was held in August last year in Kabul and a mini Jirga, called Jirgagay, was established with 25 members from each sides. This mini Jirga is scheduled to meet in Islamabad . Dates for its meeting will be finalized in the coming weeks. The Grand Jirga will meet in Pakistan in the next year. The two governments are in touch with each other in this regard through diplomatic channels.

Q: Does that mean the Grand Jirga will meet after the elections?

A: Since elections are scheduled for 8 th January, one can safely predict that the Jirga will meet after the elections. But the Jirga meeting has otherwise no links with our elections.

Q: The government has imposed third martial law in Pakistan . Is the Foreign Office facing any difficulties after imposition of the martial law?

A: I don't know which martial law you are talking about. I have repeatedly requested that not to make political statements here. This is not a forum to discuss your political views. We had a certain situation in the country and it was addressed through imposition of emergency. It was done reluctantly and for a limited period. We have discussed that in every briefing since 3 rd November.

Q: Pakistan has said it won't allow any direct intervention inside the country but President Bush isn't in the habit of asking permission.

A: What is the question? We have a very clear policy that foreign intervention inside Pakistan is unacceptable. It has been stated repeatedly from this rostrum.

Q: Pakistan and India have been holding talks about exchange of prisoners and relaxation of visa regimes. What is the latest update on that?

A: On the prisoner issue we have moved forward. Relation in different categories of visas is also being discussed. The talks are continuing but we have no announcements at this stage.

Q: During the Turkish President's visit, President Musharraf discussed the US – Iran nuclear issue. What is the position of Pakistan on this? Also what kind of proposals did Turkey have for madrassah reforms?

A: Regarding Iran , Pakistan has a principled position. We believe that Iran has a right to acquire peaceful nuclear technology. Iran is also a member of the NPT and has certain obligations under that treaty but it doesn't prevent it from having peaceful nuclear technology.

Regarding the madrassah reforms the two sides exchanged views on their respective experiences.

Q: How would you interpret the implications of NIE on Iran and the impact of US intelligence in the context of Pakistan ?

A: I can't comment on Iran . Seeing the media reports we are happy for Iran . As far as its impact on Pakistan , I don't know what information US intelligence has on Pakistan . As far as allegations against Pakistan 's involvement in nuclear proliferation are concerned, it was an act of individuals. Government of Pakistan was not involved. We have shared the relevant information with the IAEA. This chapter is now closed and we don't have anything to add.

Q: Does Pakistan believe in the veracity of the NIE?

A: I can't say anything on it. I do not know what is it based on and I cannot comment on the intelligence assessment that is reported in the media.

Q: What kind of foreign policy objective the envoys visiting Europe and US have accomplished?

A: These delegations have been sent to US and Europe to meet the Pakistani community, think tanks, legislators, media representative and officials and appraise them of the situation that prevailed in Pakistan and led to the imposition of emergency. Their interlocutors will have a better understanding of Pakistan 's political situation as a result of their interaction with the delegations.