Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 03/09/2007

Record of Press Briefing on 03 September, 2007

Opening Statement

Pakistan rejects the baseless and malicious allegations made in a book titled “big threat to world peace”. This is a rehash of oft-repeated assertions prompted by dubious motives. It shows that certain people still find it difficult to accept that Pakistan has acquired nuclear deterrence in the interest of its security and for peace and stability in the region. These people refuse to recognize that Pakistan was not the first to introduce nuclear weapons in South Asia and that the strategic balance was disturbed by the Indian nuclear test in 1974.

The outlandish theories woven around the AQ Khan case only bring into sharper relief the visceral prejudice of the authors and their selected sources against Pakistan. In their hostility, the authors have gone beyond the issue of proliferation to malign Pakistan and its leadership. Such people need to know that Pakistan is a progressive, moderate and vibrant society with expanding economy and is an anchor of stability in the region.

As to their reference to the threat of terrorism, the authors should know that in addressing this contemporary challenge, Pakistan is playing an active role. In this regard, we have the same concerns and objectives as the rest of the world.

We reject the irresponsible speculations about the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. As we have stated on a number of occasions, Pakistan's strategic assets are completely safe and secure and the highest level of institutionalized protection is accorded to them. Pakistan's strategic assets are under strong multi-layered decision making, organizational, administrative and command and control structures. Our command and control system and export controls conform to the most stringent international standards.

Question/Answer Session

Asked, if given the serious nature of allegations leveled in the book “ Deception: Pakistan, the United States and the Secret Trade in Nuclear Weapons Pakistan nuclear programme” against the President having some sort of dealing with the US Deputy Secretary of State in 2004, whether the Government was considering taking legal action against the authors, the Spokesperson said:

We want to expose the absurdity, the prejudice and the distortions in this book. We faced such banalities in the past as well, and we believe they are not worthy of further engagement.

Asked, for comments about the former CIA chief's claim that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was at least as dangerous as Osama Bin Laden, the Spokesperson said:

If an individual is being condemned for contributing to Pakistan's nuclear deterrence, then there are many people in many countries who are guilty of this crime. There are people who see nuclear weapons as a threat to human society and civilization. If we agree with this hypothesis, if we accept this point of view, then Pakistan has not committed the original sin.

When, her attention was drawn to the fact that in the recent past there had been increase in allegations against Pakistan like those made by Dr Ayesha Siddiqa and other reports by Western media propagating a negative image of Pakistan, and her comments were sought as to who she thought was behind these baseless allegations, and at whose behest this nefarious activity was being undertaken, the Spokesperson said:

I think the answer to your question is in the statement I just read out. These are people who hold prejudices against Pakistan, who are biased and who cannot accept that Pakistan has acquired nuclear deterrence. It still rankles with them, whoever they maybe.

Asked, for comments with reference to the demand made by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference of making Kashmir a nuclear free zone in light of the fact that both Pakistan and India were nuclear weapon state, and also how Pakistan viewed the recent Indian decision to purchase 130 air craft, the Spokesperson said:

I will start with your second question; our principal concern is to keep our defense strong and unassailable. Without getting into an arms race, we will take all steps required to maintain credible deterrence and strong defense capability.

Regarding your question about Kashmir, I do not know what has been said but we would like to see Jammu and Kashmir not only as a nuclear weapons free zone but also as a demilitarized zone. The President of Pakistan has already offered a number of ideas including demilitarization of the Jammu and Kashmir region as well.

Asked, if any progress had been made in resolving the Kashmir issue in the Composite Dialogue, the Spokesperson said:

You know the 4th round of talks is about to be completed. The last meeting was on Wullar Barrage. We expect review meeting of Foreign Secretaries, followed by a meeting of the Foreign Ministers. Kashmir is being discussed not only in the context of the Composite Dialogue process, but also at various other levels. Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that we would like to see progress in resolving this issue.

Asked, if the fact that the Foreign Minister was representing Pakistan in the UN General Assembly session signified that Pakistan was downgrading its representation this year, the Spokesperson said:

It is not a question of downgrading. You know it is the election season in Pakistan and there is no event which particularly requires the presence of the Head of State or Head of Government. Many countries attend UNGA session at the Foreign Minister level. It is not something unusual.

In response to a comment that there was a global impression that Pakistan was a nascent nuclear weapon state and its nuclear weapon arsenal was vulnerable to attack which led to various allegations against Pakistan, the Spokesperson said:

I do not share your view that this is the world perception.

Asked, if the Canadian Government had removed the statue of Jinnah from Toronto and what steps the Foreign Office had taken in this regards, the Spokesperson said:

First, I must clarify that the Canadian Government has not removed it. We do not know exactly what happened, whether there was an act of sabotage or for some other reasons it fell. We are in touch with the Canadian Government for its reinstallation. There have been stories especially in the ethnic media in Canada about it and speculation. I would like to rebut those stories as they are not based on facts. We do not know the reason why the statue fell and if its installation was faulty or defective. We do not have any definitive conclusion on that count. It was installed at the personal initiative of our then Consular General Mr. Ghalib Iqbal, who made a contribution from his own pocket for its installation there. We are in touch with the Canadian authorities to find what happened and also to ensure that it is reinstalled.

Asked, how she viewed media reports that the Government of South Korea had paid ransom to the Taliban for release of its hostages, and also to comment on the statement by Mr. Rabbani asking for inclusion of Taliban in any future talks, the Spokesperson said:

As you know the peace Jirga has established a committee to pursue negotiations with opponents. It is for this committee to decide who is to be included in the talks.

As regards payment of ransom by South Korea for the release of hostages, either the South Koreans or the Taliban can respond to that. We have no information.

Asked, if Pakistan had protests against the blasphemous, Swedish cartoons, the Spokesperson said:

Yes of course we did. We condemned it in the strongest possible terms. This is not the freedom of expression. The freedom of expression also has its limits. It is not a license to insult people of other religions. We summoned the Swedish CDA and lodged a strong protest. We asked them to ensure it is not republished.

You may have seen the reports that the Swedish Government has expressed regret. It is short of an apology. Nonetheless they have expressed regret. We do not accept the argument that people are free to express their views and this is part of the freedom of expression. We have seen that in certain cases these freedoms are curtailed. If something is done deliberately, something so provocative to insult 1.3 billion Muslims it is going to undermine our efforts to build bridges between civilizations and promote understanding between religions.

We are in touch with the OIC. As you know Pakistan is the chair of the OIC contact group. We also presently have the chair of the ICFM and we are consulting other countries in this context.

Asked, for comments regarding Tehran's consent to observe IAEA safeguards, the Spokesperson said:

We welcome that. As we have always said that there can only be a diplomatic, negotiated settlement of this issue and we are gratified that IAEA and Iran are engaged and they are making progress.

Asked, for the duration of the Pakistan US Strategic dialogue and arrival time of Negroponte, the Spokesperson said:

I do not have his flight schedule. The talks will be on the 11t and 12 of September.