Spokesman Briefings

Date: 13/02/2008

Record of Press Briefing on 13 February, 2008

Opening Statement

There was no opening statement.

Question/Answer Session

Q: We have read the reports that other than the EU observers no other important observer is visiting Pakistan . Can you give information on exact break up of International Election Observers visiting Pakistan . There are reports that a large number of Election Observers have dropped.

A: I have seen the news item on this in a newspaper today. There are a number of important observers other than the EU observers who are coming to cover the elections. They include US Senators, congressmen and members of the British Parliament. The people who have dropped out are from the International Republican Institute (IRI) and they had quoted security reasons for that. They were replaced by Democracy International Inc. (DII). The number of foreign observers and representatives of the foreign missions is about 500. They represent different countries, organizations and foreign missions in Pakistan . The new addition in the list since our last briefing is eight observers from Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) and four observers from South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA).

( Added for Record

•  The number of international election observers and foreign journalists whose applications have been processed is over 1000, five hundred of them are journalists.

•  The largest contingent is from EU (137 members from EU including 10 members of the European Parliament).

•  The 2 nd largest contingent is from US (includes 35 members from Democracy International, 5 from US Congress, 8 from the US State Department, and eight from Pakistani American Leadership Centre (PAL-C).

•  US Senators (Senator John Kerry, Senator Joseph Bidden, and Senator Chuck Hagel) and Congress members (Sheila Jackson Lee, Elton Gallegly, and Jane Harmen) will come to Pakistan to observe the polls.

•  Election observers are also coming from numerous other countries like Japan , Austria , Norway , Switzerland , India and OIC.

•  Officials from foreign missions in Pakistan are also allowed to observe the elections. Accreditations passes are being issued to those who have applied).

Q: Any information about Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin?

A: Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin is missing since 11 th February and the search is on to locate him and rescue him. All possible resources have been deployed for this purpose.

Q: There are media reports about involvement of some foreigners particularly Afghans in the missing Ambassador's case.

A: I don't have any information on it.

Q: What role Pakistan is playing for the economic uplift of Afghanistan ?

A: Afghanistan is a brotherly neighbouring country. We care for the welfare and wellbeing of the Afghan people and are deeply interested in the economic development of Afghanistan . Because of the historical links, common culture and proximity, the situation in one country has an impact on the other. Therefore, a developed Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and vice-a-versa. In addition to the bilateral economic cooperation Pakistan is also hosting the third Regional Economic Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) in Islamabad on March 26-27, 2008. RECCA's first meeting was held in Kabul in 2005 and second meeting in New Delhi in 2006. All members of the Afghan Compact are included in RECCA. The conference will be co-hosted by Pakistan / Afghanistan . A back-to-back business conference will also be organized jointly by Board of Investment of Pakistan (BOIP)/Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in association with Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA). The Islamabad conference is likely to be attended by more than 300 participants from 20 regional countries, G8 countries and International/Regional Organizations like, World Bank, UN, ADB, ECO and SCO etc. The country-delegations participating in the conference will be led by their Foreign Ministers / Trade Ministers.

Q: Can you please elaborate on the efforts being made to locate the Ambassador. Did Ambassador always traveled through the road or was this the case only this time and also is this the standard procedure for the Ambassador to travel with one guard? Had he any escort?

A: All resources are deployed to search our missing colleague. The President himself instructed to redouble the search efforts. Pakistani and some other foreign diplomats posted in Kabul , mostly travel through Khyber Pass to come to Pakistan . This has been going on for decades. All security precautions are taken when a diplomat travels on this route. Our Ambassador in Afghanistan normally travels with one security guard. Further security details join the Ambassador at a certain point in the Khyber Agency which is again changed at Torkham border crossing.

Q: The figures you gave about international observers stands at 550 which is different from the 1000 as stated by Interior Ministry's Spokesman Brigadier Cheema?

A: Brigadier Cheema is correct. More than 1000 international observers are coming. I did not include the foreign journalists who are over 500. In the last week's briefing, I had given details about it.

Q: The US Secretary of Defence said in Europe that al-Qaeda and Taliban are threatening the Government of Pakistan. He seemed more concerned about the government rather than the people or the country?

A: I think you are referring to the statement made by Mr. Robert Gates in Munich early this week. We believe that terrorism is a threat to all countries, peoples and governments in the world and Pakistan is not an exception.

Q: Please comment on the Indian-Russian nuclear deal?

A: I don't have any specific comment on it. However, we oppose any steps which would facilitate introduction of new weapon systems, nuclear or conventional in South Asia . A legitimate peaceful cooperation in any area is right of all countries.

Q: Has any other country or foreign organization offered help in the investigation regarding the missing Ambassador?

A: We have received messages of sympathy but help from foreign countries is not needed at this point.

Q: There are reports that the Ambassador has been taken to Tirah valley and that his car is found.

A: I don't have any information about him being taken to Tirah valley or about his car being found.

Q: Are you sure Ambassador Tariq Aziz-ud-din is alive?

A: Yes, I am sure he is alive and every effort is being made to find him.

Q: How can you be so sure?

A: I was asked to give my opinion, and I gave my opinion. I am sure all of us in this room are hopeful that he is alive.

Q: President Musharraf has recently talked about some positive indications regarding Kashmir solution. Your comments please?

A: I am not sure I have seen the statement you are talking about.

Q: Media has reported that Iran had invited China to participate in the IPI? Does this imply that India has withdrawn from the project? How does Pakistan view this development? Does Pakistan welcome China 's inclusion in IPI?

A : India is still part of the negotiation process of the project. Pakistan is a developing country with a thriving economy and our energy demands are growing. IPI is therefore vitally important to meet our energy needs. We will welcome if China joins the IPI.

Announcement

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will establish an Election Information Cell (EIC) to assist the International Elections Observers from 16-19 February 2008. Director General ( Europe ) Mr. Muhammad Nafees Zakaria will supervise the Cell which will function round the clock.

2. The International Election Observers may contact the Cell for any information or guidance they may require relating to the elections. The contact numbers of the Cell are Telephone: 0092-51-9207301 Fax: 0092-51-9207302 and Exchange: 0092-51-9056607.