Spokesman Briefings

Date: 16/01/2008

Record of Press Briefing on 16 January, 2008

Opening Statement

President's Visit to Belgium , France , Switzerland and the UK

(20-28 January, 2008 )

The President will visit Brussels , Paris , Davos and London from 20-28 January 2008. He will be accompanied by members of the caretaker Cabinet and senior officials.

In Brussels , the seat of the European Union institutions, the President would be meeting EU leaders including Mr. Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy. He will also address the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee .

The President's meeting with the EU officials will cover the entire spectrum of Pakistan-EU relations, with emphasis on exploring ways and means to further enhance cooperation in various fields including commercial, economic, trade and defence.

The EU is not only Pakistan 's largest trading partner with the overall annual volume of trade worth US Dollars 9 billion, but also its largest foreign investor and development cooperation partner. Third Generation Cooperation Agreement between Pakistan and the European Union was put into implementation last year.

The President's engagements in Brussels would also include talks with Belgian Prime Minister Mr. Guy Verhofstadt aimed at promoting understanding and cooperation. Pakistan-Belgium relations have been steadily growing in diverse directions in the past several years. Belgium is the sixth largest European importer of Pakistani goods and bilateral trade is approaching US $ 600 million.

The President will also address the Pakistani community, business leaders and a major Brussels based think tank.

The President will visit France on 21-22 January 2008. The President's program would include talks with President Sarkozy besides addressing French business leaders, the Pakistan community and a major think tank.

Pakistan enjoys close and cordial relations with France and there has been a tradition of harmony on most international issues and substantial cooperation in diverse areas. The fast growing bilateral trade has surpassed 1 billion US dollars. President's meeting with the new French leaders would help bolster relations in all areas.

In Davos, the President will attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum on 23-25 January 2008, which serves as a platform to address major social and economic issues on the global agenda. The theme of this year's meeting is “The Power of Collaborative Innovation”. The President will meet a number of political and corporate leaders in Davos.

During his visit to the UK , from 26-28 th January 2008 , the President will meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He will also address the Pakistan community, business leaders and various think tanks.

Pakistan-United Kingdom relations are deeply rooted in history and based on shared values and multifaceted cooperation. The UK is Pakistan 's largest trading partner in Europe with a bilateral trade of over 2 billion US dollars. The one million strong Pakistan community in the UK is another very strong linkage between the two countries which cements the bonds of friendship.

President's meetings with the major European leaders will provide an opportunity to review regional and international matters of mutual interest as well as bilateral relations, especially measures to enhance economic cooperation and trade.

Question/Answer Session

Q: The Pakistan People's Party claims that the Government's admission that Al Qaeda may be involved in the assassination of Benazir justifies a UN probe and they plan to approach the UN in this respect. Can any individual or organization approach the United Nations directly with such request or is it only the Government of a country that can do so?

A: This is a political issue and the Government has taken a detailed position on it. I have nothing new to add to this. However, The United Nations deals with the governments of the world.

Q: Is it correct that Pakistan expelled a US journalist? If yes, what were the reasons behind it?

A: I think you are referring to Nicholas Schmidle. Nicholas Schmidle was not in Pakistan on a journalist visa. He never declared that he was on a media assignment in Pakistan . It is alleged that he was asked to leave because he wrote an article which was critical of the Government. This is a baseless allegation. Numerous reporters accredited to other news papers are in Pakistan and often write critical articles about Pakistan . However, as evident from his article, Nicholas Schmidle repeatedly travelled to areas where armed militants are active without informing the authorities and met individuals having links with terrorists. He did so without informing any government agency. He has placed his life in great risk. Any unfortunate incident involving him would have caused great pain and embarrassment to us. After the unfortunate kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearle, the government cannot allow such adventurism on the part of foreign journalists or so-called researchers.

Mr. Schmidle was asked to leave initially. However, later he was allowed to stay for a couple of weeks during which he chose to leave on his volition. The CPJ's press release is misleading and factually incorrect as Nicholas Schmidle was not in Pakistan on a journalist visa nor was he formally deported. However, he was asked to leave for reasons of his irresponsible behaviour.

Q: President Bush alleged that Iran is promoting terrorism and asked Arab countries to unite against Iran . What are your comments on this as Pakistan is a friend of the Arab nations?

A: We don't comment on the statements of foreign leaders about third countries. However, we don't want any kind of escalation in the region. This region has already suffered a lot and any escalation is undesirable.

Q: There have been reports and statements from the US expressing concerns about the safety of nuclear assets of Pakistan and calls for considering unilateral strikes inside Pakistan . What are your comments?

A: Our position is very clear and we have stressed it repeatedly over the last few days. Pakistan 's nuclear assets are absolutely safe. Their safety is the responsibility of Pakistan exclusively. Taking action on Pakistani territory without our permission would be considered an enemy attack and treated as such.

Q: The Indian Prime Minister is in China and both countries have signed a number of agreements. How do you view the effects of these developments on Pakistan – China relations?

A: Pakistan has a long-standing, time tested friendship with China which has developed from generation to generation and matured over the years into a multi-dimensional, multi-faceted relationship encompassing cooperation in political, economic and security fields. Pakistan 's relationship with China is not aimed at any third country. China is one of the largest investors in our infrastructure. It is one of our largest trading partners and the most important partner of Pakistan in defense production. Pakistan and China share a complete identity of views characterized by mutual trust and excellent all-round cooperation. Convergence of views on regional and global issues provides a solid foundation for our bilateral relations.

China 's peaceful rise is a factor of peace and stability and lends economic strength to the region. Pakistan-China relations have withstood the changes in the regional and global environment. We are confident that these relations which are characterized by close proximity of values and mutuality of interests will continue to flourish in the future without any influence from any third country.

Q: You mentioned in the opening statement that the President is visiting Europe . Don't you think this trip should have been postponed considering the prevailing situation in the country?

A: The visit is essentially arranged around the visit to Davos Froum which had been arranged in advance. Since this entailed going to Europe it was considered an opportunity to pay brief visits to other European countries to meet their leaders to exchange views on economic and political cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

Q: The Saudi Foreign Minister appealed to the international community to assist in stabilizing the situation in Pakistan . Do you think that the situation in Pakistan has deteriorated to the extent that we require international assistance in maintaining stability in the country?

A: I haven't seen the statement you are referring to so I cannot comment on it. However, some of our friends in the international community have shown interest in the situation in Pakistan and mostly there is nothing abnormal in their interest.

Q: Will President Musharraf meet the Indian Prime Minister in Davos?

A: I don't have any information on it. Meetings on the sidelines in Davos are still being tied up.

Q: You said earlier that the US journalist was asked to leave. How is that different from deportation?

A: Due to his irresponsible behaviour of putting himself at risk, Mr. Schmidle was asked to leave. He wanted to stay some more time so he was allowed more time but he chose to leave anyways.

Q: Could you shed some light on the statement of the President where he said that Benazir was never popular with the army?

A: We don't comment on the statements of the President.

Q: There are reports in the newspapers that Afghanistan has closed its border at Chaman causing great difficulty to the traders. What are your comments and what are the updates?

A: We heard the news of closure of the Chaman border by local Afghan authorities. The Afghan Government hasn't informed us of any such decision. At times Chaman border is closed because of decisions taken locally. The border is closed for a few hours or a couple of days. According to the media, the decision this time around is related to the transportation of wheat through that border.

We have assured the Afghan Government that any requirement of wheat shall be met but it will happen through government to government contacts and not via private parties. In addition if they want to import wheat floor from a third country we would facilitate its transit as well.

Q: In response to a question regarding US unilateral action inside Pakistan , the President also added that “if it is without our permission”. Is the Government of Pakistan in a position to permit the US ? If not why the President has made this statement?

A: I have explained it earlier, but I will explain it again. We have a well defined cooperation with the international community in the war on terror. We cooperate with the international community in areas of intelligence-sharing, technical cooperation, training and provision of equipment. These are the areas in our war on terror where we are receiving international support and cooperation.

Q: President Musharraf's visit to UK is of added significance in light of the recent Commonwealth decision. During his visit to the UK would the President also talk about this and the upcoming elections?

A: The visit will focus on bilateral relations between Pakistan and the UK . If they want to know about the recent political developments in Pakistan , then the President will brief them.

Q: If hypothetically Osama Bin Laden is found to be in Pakistan will Pakistan allow US action or will we act alone?

A: It is a hypothetical question and we do not talk about hypothesis. However, on military's operational issues, the concerned spokesman will be able to comment if needed.