Spokesman Briefings

Date: 02/01/2008

Record of Press Briefing on 02 January, 2008

Opening Statement

Our first press briefing of the New Year is also the first after the most unfortunate and tragic assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who became a victim of a dastardly act of terrorism on 27 December 2007 . It is a great national tragedy and the nation is still in a state of shock and mourning.

The Foreign Office has instructed all Pakistan Missions abroad to observe the three-day official mourning period by flying the national flag at half mast and opening condolence books.

We have received a large number of condolence messages and statements from foreign leaders. We are deeply moved by the expression of condolences and sympathy with the people of Pakistan and the family of Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto. These messages and condolence books would be transmitted to the family.

Also, several leaders of the friendly countries have called to condemn the horrific terrorist act and expressed condolence on this national tragedy. Some of the foreign leaders also offered help in investigation. They were assured that the Government of Pakistan was making every effort to comprehensively investigate the dastardly assassination of Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto. We owe this to the people and the family of the former Prime Minister. The Government is committed to a thorough and transparent investigation and is open to receiving assistance from outside.

Question/Answer Session

Q: Assassination of Benazir Bhutto proved that Pakistan is taken so seriously that leaders from all over the world offered condolence. At the same time it shows that there are global concerns about the security of Pakistan . The Security Council of the UN was called and leaders like Gordon Brown wrote an article on it. The US President also hinted at concerns about the security of Pakistan . What has made the situation so alarming that international probe into the matter is offered and there is pressure from the US Congress on President Bush to support it?

A: Well, you are asking me to comment on a wide variety of statements including condolence messages of world leaders. We appreciate their expression of condolence, sorrow and their offers of help. Please note that this is an unfortunate and extra ordinary situation and some extra ordinary statements were made but the thrust of the reaction by foreign governments is by and large positive.

Q: French Foreign Minister is here. Government of Pakistan said it was open to accept foreign assistance in investigation. Has the French Foreign Minister offered any technical help in the investigation? What else did he discuss as France is an important member of the European Union?

A: The French Foreign Minister did offer help in whatever way we may require. He was assured that we would seek help from abroad if such assistance was needed. In addition to extending condolences he also discussed bilateral matters of mutual concern.

Q: There are reports that 13 US Congressmen have asked the Bush Administration to ask President Musharraf to agree to an international probe into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and if this demand isn't acceded to then military aid to Pakistan should be cut. What are your comments?

A: We have seen media reports about the letter addressed by some members of the U.S. House of Representative to the Secretary of State, conveying their views regarding the investigation in the assassination of former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the holding of elections in Pakistan .

There should be absolutely no doubt regarding the government's commitment to conduct a thorough investigation of the terrorist attack of 27 December 2007 and to hold free and fair elections. We believe it is wrong for anyone to jump to conclusions, or propose any precipitate action, on these issues.

We have said time and again that threats of suspending assistance and placing conditionalities will not help the important Pakistan-U.S. relationship, which is based on mutual interests and serves regional peace and stability. Neither will it serve the political process in Pakistan .

Q: What are your comments to the demands put forward that investigations into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto should be on lines similar to the Hariri Commission?

A: The UN Security Council's involvement in the Hariri case started with a Presidential Statement that asked the UN Secretary General to report on the circumstances, causes and consequences of the assassination of Rafik Hariri in February 2005. The statement was linked to earlier UN Security Council Resolutions on Lebanon . Situation in Pakistan and circumstances around the unfortunate Rawalpindi incident are totally different than the circumstances around Hariri's assassination. I may add that the Commission on Hariri's assassination has submitted nine reports since its establishment almost two years ago, without bringing the matter to a closure.

Q: Did the French Foreign Minister refer to reports expressing concerns about the security of Pakistan 's nuclear assets?

A: No. He didn't.

Q: You said Pakistan is open to foreign help regarding the investigation. Has any decision been taken yet as to whether foreign investigators will be allowed?

A: I think I have already made a very clear opening statement on this.

Q: The assassination has been categorized as a failure of Pakistan in the War on Terror. What is your assessment?

A: The assassination is an extra ordinarily tragic incident. We have seen all kinds of statements. I will not comment on each one of them but our contribution in the war on terror is there for everyone to see. We have a pivotal role in this struggle.

Q: Did the French Foreign Minister or any other world capital in its interaction with the Government of Pakistan mentioned the fact that the Interior Ministry has acted with indecent haste to announce the findings of the inquiry and washed the road right after the incident?

A: The issue of preliminary investigation was not discussed in any interaction with foreign leaders.

Q: You said that the French Foreign Minister has offered help with the investigation. Has any other Government extended similar offers of assistance?

A: Most leaders when they called to express condolence and sympathy also offered help if we needed it but the countries which I would specifically mention here are US and UK in addition to France .

Q: There are reports in the media that US security forces have been put on high alert with respect to Pakistan 's nuclear assets. Also there are reports that the Homeland Security Department has stated that they are ready to seize the nuclear arsenal in case the Government destabilizes. What are your comments?

A: The report you are mentioning has been picked up from some website and is being circulated through e-mail. I myself have received it through an e-mail. It is a concocted report. Let me assure you that Pakistan 's strategic assets are safe and we know how to defend them.

Q: What is the latest stage of investigation as of today?

A: I don't deal with the investigation issue. The Spokesman of Interior Ministry will be able to answer your question.