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Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 05/03/2007

Record of Press Briefing on 05 march, 2007

No statement was made in the beginning and the Press Conference opened with Question/Answer Session.

Question/Answer Session

Asked, with reference to a reported statement by the Indian Defence Minister, how Pakistan would respond to challenges and hawkish statements emanating both from its eastern as well as its western borders, the Spokesperson said:

First of all, we have to check the veracity of this statement. I am not sure if the statement was really made. However, if it is correct, we would be surprised that a statement of this nature, which can only be described as irresponsible, has been made. Such statements militate against the efforts by the two governments to improve the environment. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that any attempt to indulge in hot pursuit would receive a befitting response. Any aggression across our border or across the line of control would be effectively countered. Everyone should know that we have the capability and determination to effectively deal with such threats and defend our borders.

Asked, with reference to the recent statement by the Iranian President about the OIC Foreign Ministers meeting held in Islamabad, impression that Iran was being excluded and statements from the US commanders talking about military action in the tribal areas of Pakistan along with reports that US soldiers routinely cross the border and undertake incursions on Pakistani soil, whether it was not high time for Pakistan to rethink its foreign policy, the Spokesperson said:

You have asked a number of questions. First of all, I do not agree with you that the American Administration is saying that. Some local commanders or a General may have said something but that is not our understanding. We have said that we do not believe that this represents the policy of the US leadership. You would have seen the statement from the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice clearly rejecting that there was any plan of this nature or that the US thought it would serve any purpose. As I have already said the relationship between Pakistan and the US and our fight against terrorism is a common cause. It is a partnership. It is not an adversarial relationship.

The meeting of 7 Foreign Ministers plus OIC Secretary General in Islamabad took place as follow-up of the President's visit to some Muslim countries including Iran . You are already aware of the background of the visit. The President was requested by many Muslim leaders who visited Pakistan last year to play a role in finding a solution to the Middle East problem. The President had detailed discussions with the leaders of these countries. Iran was consulted. The President spoke to President Ahmadinejad before embarking on the visit to the Middle Eastern countries. He also visited Iran subsequently. Later, the Foreign Minister also spoke to the Iranian Foreign Minister.

The group of seven countries have similar views on issues specially Palestine . This group can act as a facilitator; it can engage with all the relevant parties to help in the resolution of issues, reduction of tension and de-escalation and contribute to harmony in the Islamic world. The OIC Secretary General has also been associated with this which underlines the fact that the approach of the group is consistent with the OIC position in these issues.

Any suggestion that this initiative aims to isolate Iran is incorrect, absurd and irresponsible. The joint statement clearly and forcefully rejects the use of force against Iran . This is consistent with Pakistan 's position which we have articulated a number of times.

Asked whether the summit meeting between the Iranian and Saudi leadership had been encouraged by President Musharraf, as speculated in the media reports, the Spokesperson said:

That would not be an accurate description. We knew that this visit had been on the cards for some time and we are happy that it has taken place.

We welcome the meeting between the Iranian and the Saudi leaders. We hope that this will bring down tension in the Gulf. We specially welcome their statement about promoting unity among the Muslim countries which, as you would recall, is an important element of the President's initiative. Therefore, Pakistan is pleased with the outcome of President Ahmadinejad's visit to Saudi Arabia .

When her comments were sought on the recent statement by the Afghan Foreign Minister that Pakistan used terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy and that the international community should stop economic assistance to Pakistan , the Spokesperson said:

Pakistan is a victim of terrorism specially terrorism which has sprouted in Afghanistan . The Afghan conflict has caused disturbance in our society, particularly in the tribal areas. We are now engaged in a prolonged and sustained fight against terrorism. Pakistan has done more than any other country in the fight against terrorism. In fighting terrorism, our pre-occupation is not economic assistance. It is first and foremost in our national interest. We are facing a difficult situation because of Afghanistan and the extremism and terrorism that it has spawned. The world is also deeply concerned, that is why it has forged a coalition. Pakistan is also part of that effort. In this fight, we are receiving assistance from other countries but it is for a common cause.

When her comments were sought on the statement made by the German Ambassador about the joint management of the Pak-Afghan border, the Spokesperson said:

I do not know what he means by joint management, but we say that greater effort is required on the other side. We also say that this is the problem that can be addressed through greater cooperation between Pakistan , Afghanistan , NATO, ISAF and everybody on the Afghan side. We also expect that we should be given information and actionable intelligence, so that we can thwart the efforts of terrorists who cross over from Afghanistan into Pakistan .

When her comments were sought on the statement by two US law-makers that either Pakistan should take a stern action against the Taliban itself or it should let the US do so in order to cope with the menace of Taliban who were regrouping, the Spokesperson said:

There are all kinds of statements. I have already responded to a question on this. You would recall that Senator Nisar A. Memon who is the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee of Pakistan made a statement on Saturday. He gave a comprehensive statement and it represents the views of the government and Parliament of Pakistan.

Asked to confirm that the Taliban Defence Minister had been captured in Quetta , the Spokesperson said:

I cannot confirm that.

Asked whether Pakistan would continue maintaining its cooperation with the US , in case the latter opted to attack Iran , the Spokesperson said:

First of all, we hope that there would be no military action. Any such step would have disastrous consequences economically and politically for the entire region and also for Pakistan . We are against the use of force or even threat of use of force against Iran . We want this matter to be resolved diplomatically and through peaceful means.

In response to a question about the status of Pakistan-US relations, the Spokesperson said:

The relationship has come a long way since 9/11. There is a desire on both sides to make it broad-based and durable. There are a number of initiatives and efforts on both sides to achieve that. In the past, there have been ups and downs and there is a realization that whenever the relationship has been less than cooperative, both sides have suffered. So, with that realization, there is an effort, a sustained effort to make it a long-term, durable relationship, and both countries are committed to that.

Asked about an update on the second round of Pakistan - US strategic dialogue, the Spokesperson's said:

It will take place most probably during this month.

Asked about Pakistan 's expectations from the forthcoming meeting of the Pakistan-India Anti-Terrorism Mechanism, and whether the recent train tragedy would come up for discussion, the Spokesperson said:

This is a mechanism which has been established to help the two countries prevent terrorist acts on either country's soil. It is a two-way mechanism, and this can be used to share information and to cooperate in investigations on the basis of specific information. As I said in the last briefing, we are approaching it with a positive mindset. Let us see where it goes. It is not appropriate for me to get into the specifics at the moment.

The train terrorist act would be discussed. Indian leadership has assured us that whatever information they have, they would share that with us and we expect to hear from them.

Asked whether the establishment of an Indian airbase in Tajikistan would not be detrimental to the security of the northern areas of Pakistan , the Spokesperson said:

I do not have this information that India has established an airbase. We understand that India may be helping them to build some facilities.

Asked about information regarding the train probe details, during the forthcoming Pakistan-India Joint Mechanism meeting, the Spokesperson said:

It would not be appropriate for me to go into the specifics of what would be discussed, what our response would be and what we expect their response to be.

When her comments were sought on the Indian Defence Minister's recent statement that India would not effect demilitarization in IOK, the Spokesperson said:

There are ideas that are being discussed. These ideas have generated a lot of interest and they are being discussed by Kashmiris. Again, I would not get into the specifics.

In response to a question asked earlier about the issue of Indian prisoners in Pakistan and vice versa, the Spokesperson said:

There were some comments in the Indian Parliament that Indian prisoners who returned from Pakistan had been tortured or mistreated.

You would have seen the condition of Pakistani prisoners who came from India and how, many of them had lost their mental balance because of torture in Indian jails.

This is a humanitarian issue. We have always favored greater attention to the plight of prisoners. Unfortunately, we have not received the kind of cooperation, we had expected from India on that issue.

During the Foreign Ministers meeting, at Pakistan 's initiative, it was decided that a Committee on Prisoners comprising retired judges from both sides would be formed. The Committee is basically meant to propose steps to the two governments in order to ensure that the prisoners on the two sides are treated humanely and that they are released expeditiously on completion of sentences. We conveyed during the last meeting between the two Foreign Ministers, the names of judges from our sides. Now we have received the names of judges from the Indian side. We hope that the Committee on prisoners will be able to look into the plight of these prisoners and suggest procedures to both Governments that will result in the humane treatment and expeditious release of these prisoners on both sides.

We will be circulating a note which gives the details of the current number of prisoners, released prisoners, the ones presently in jails, and prisoners who have completed all requirements including prison sentence, consular access and determination of national status and yet are still languishing in Indian jails.