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Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 21/05/2007

Transcript of Press Briefing on May 21, 2007.

Opening Statement:

Question/Answers:

Asked to comment on the report of the United States media quoting American intelligence officials as saying that some 50 Central Intelligence Agency operatives had been deployed in Pakistan last year to search for Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and that the group had a base command in the country and Al-Qaeda was being financed from Iraq, the Spokesperson said:

This is a speculative report. There has been a lot of speculative reporting about Osama bin Laden. There is no real evidence or intelligence with us on his whereabouts. No body knows where he is. There is no question of 50 CIA agents looking Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan . There is no Al Qaeda base in Pakistan . As we have repeatedly said, Pakistan is the country that has taken the strongest action against Al Qaeda. And it is acknowledged by everyone that Pakistan is the country that broke the back of Al-Qaeda. There may be some Al Qaeda remnants in Pakistan . We are taking action against them. But if Al Qaeda is being financed from Iraq , it is for the multinational forces present there to interdict that. It is their responsibility.

When her comments were sought on the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister's statement that his government was considering establishing diplomatic ties with Israel , the Spokesperson said:

There are conflicting reports about what exactly he said and also the context of his remarks was clear. Pakistan 's position on this issue is clear. We do not recognize Israel . We support the Beirut Declaration which calls for the establishment of Palestinian state living side by side with Israel . Beirut Declaration also calls for the recognition of Israel at that time.

Asked to comment on the British High Commissioner Robert Brinkley's remarks about the country's domestic issues, including democracy and the President's two offices, the Spokesperson said:

In the absence of the High Commissioner who left for two weeks after his remarks to the media, the acting High Commissioner was called to the Foreign Office and he was informed that the High Commissioner's remarks were unacceptable. These were unsolicited and were tantamount to interference in Pakistan 's internal affairs. He was asked to convey our strong protest to the British government. We believe these remarks are against diplomatic etiquette, and we told him that his government should ensure that this does not happen in future .

Asked for comments about some uncharitable terms used about Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in a biography of the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Spokesperson said:

I have not read the book and have no intention of reading it. In any case we do not comment on such ‘trash'.

Asked about the Indian allegations that ISI was responsible for the recent terrorist act in Hyderabad , India , the Spokesperson said:

We regret the death of innocent people in what is clearly a terrorist act. We reject these baseless insinuations and allegations. It is a pattern that whenever a terrorist act occurs in India , unsubstantiated, irresponsible allegations are made and not even once in the history of Pakistan-India relations has an incident been proven to be backed by any Pakistani elements.

When asked if the Indian government had shared any information with Pakistan on the Samjhota Express incident, the Spokesperson said:

We have received nothing despite repeated assurances.

Asked for the Pakistan 's reaction on the Israeli actions in Gaza , the Spokesperson said:

We condemn it. We have always condemned these atrocities and Israeli aggression.

When asked for comments on the Indian reaction to the OIC statement and assertions that Kashmir was an integral part of India , the Spokesperson said:

No, it is not an integral part of India . There are Security Council resolutions on Kashmir . It is a disputed territory and it is recognized as such.

Asked to comment on the proposal of OIC Secretary-General's Special Representative on Kashmir to convene an international conference in collaboration with the European Union, the Spokesperson said:

The recommendation is by the Special Representative of OIC Secretary-General on Jammu and Kashmir and has an OIC context. Such recommendations, once approved by ICFM, become OIC recommendations. The Special Representative has not sought our assistance. They may be doing at their own and may invite Kashmiri representatives. We have no information so far.