Spokesman Briefings
Date: 30/01/2008
Record of Press Briefing on 30 January, 2008
Opening Statement
Prime Minister's visit to Yemen and Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro will be paying a goodwill visit to the Republic of Yemen from 1-2 February 2008, on an invitation by the Prime Minister of Yemen.
In Yemen , Prime Minister will hold meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Ali Mohamed Mujowwar followed by delegation level talks. His engagements include meetings with President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Chairman Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani of the Shoora Council. He will address the Yemeni businessmen and meet with the Pakistani community.
The visit will provide a useful opportunity to review the bilateral relations and hold an exchange of views on regional issues of mutual concern. The focus of the visit will be on strengthing economic and commercial cooperation.
Prime Minister will hold meetings with business executives in Saudi Arabia on 3 February. He will perform Umrah and offer prayers at Masjid-e-Nabavi in Madinah Munawwarah.
Question/Answer Session
Q: It has been reported that the Baglihar dam will be operational in June. What are your comments?
A: We have seen the media reports stating that India is planning to operationalise the Baglihar dam. Neutral experts agreed upon by both sides under the Indus Water Treaty had given a decision about the specifications of the dam. We hope their decision will be implemented by India in letter and spirit. Indus Basin Treaty Commissioner for Pakistan is in touch with his Indian counterpart to visit the dam site for inspection before it is operationalized.
Q: What necessitated the President to meet Mr. Barak? What was the agenda of the meeting? Did Pakistan share any information with Israel about the nuclear program of Iran ?
A: It was a chance meeting between the President and the Israeli Defense Minister in Paris on 22 January, 2008. The President was leaving the Hotel Raphael when Mr. Barak entered the lobby. The President himself has stated that this was a chance meeting and I have nothing further to add to that.
Regarding your question about Iran , Pakistan has a principled position on Iran nuclear issue, which is that Iran has the right to acquire nuclear technology, it has rights and obligations as a signatory of NPT, and the nuclear stand off between Iran and the US should be resolved peacefully. This position is known worldwide. Iran is a brotherly country and we have a consistent, principled position on the Iranian nuclear issue. We stand by our policy and need not discuss it with anybody.
Q: What is happening to the investigation, particularly autopsy, in the death of the US Embassy official?
A: The dead body of the late Keith Rayon has been transported to the US today. In deference to the wishes of the family and the US Embassy and the fact that the late official had a diplomatic status, autopsy was not done here but it could be done elsewhere.
Q: What is the latest position regarding the mishandling, deportation and confiscation of Mr. Edhi's passport in the US ?
A: There are 3 parts of the incident. The 1st pertains to the time when Mr. Edhi landed at the airport in New York on 9 January where he was stopped and questioned for several hours. We have taken up the issue with the relevant US authorities. Mr. Edhi is a symbol of our country and we take the issue of his reported mishandling very seriously.
The second issue was regarding his passport and green card. For renewal of Mr. Edhi's green card these documents were needed by the US authorities. However, in the meantime there was a fire incident at one of the Edhi facilities in Karachi and Mr. Edhi wanted to return to Pakistan to console the children who lived in that facilities. Under the US procedures they could not return the passport till 20th February when the green card was to be renewed. We took up the issue with the US authorities and they agreed to return the passport by 10:00AM New York time today. Our Embassy has been in touch with Mr. Edhi. Mr. Edhi will need to return to the US later sometime and stay for a longer duration to renew his green card.
The third issue pertains to the deportation threat. I understand that at no stage he was threatened to be deported.
Q: Has the President's visit to Europe achieved its aim? Has it helped to reduce the rhetoric criticizing Pakistan from various countries?
A: We have discussed the visit at length last week. The President met foreign leaders, Pakistani community and businessmen and addressed think tanks. He was able to effectively convey Pakistan 's position on a number of issues to his interlocutors which was the purpose of the visit.
Q: There have been numerous statements from US Presidential hopefuls. It was surprising to see one by Hilary Clinton where she stated that President Musharraf is contesting the February 18 elections. How do you interpret her comments?
A: We have said this time and again that statements made by foreign politicians and media are not necessarily well-informed. I would reiterate that statements from abroad should be viewed with this perspective in mind.
Q: The President did not talk about the Kashmir issue during his visit to Europe . Does this imply an understanding between Pakistan and India to save the ongoing Composite Dialogue?
A: No. Every visit has a primary agenda. This visit was focused on a number of other issues as the President himself had said. It is not necessary to have all national items on the agenda of every visit. Kashmir was raised in the visit, but it was not the primary agenda item of the visit.
Q: In a recent interview President Bush said that if he had specific information about the location of Osama Bin Laden he would definitely go after him even inside Pakistan . President Musharraf on the other hand has reiterated time and again that US won't be allowed to carry out any action inside Pakistan . Who among the two should be considered more credible?
A: Our position is very clear. Any foreign action on Pakistani territory will be considered a hostile act and will be unacceptable. All actions against terrorist activities on our territory will be taken by our own forces. We do not need any foreign troops here.
Q: Boucher in a recent Congressional hearing stated that US was afraid the upcoming elections would be tainted. How do you think Pakistan will remove these misgivings?
A: I have seen both the original transcript and the media report of Boucher's testimony. I suggest you look up the transcript too. Irrespective of what he has said, the Government of Pakistan at the highest level has committed to the people of Pakistan that the elections would be free and fair. This is the most important commitment and the Government plans to follow through on it.
Q: Recently there have been various statements asserting that US would be willing to send “more” troops to Pakistan if we so desired. Does this suggest that US troops are already present in Pakistan ? If yes, what is their number?
A: If there were any US troops inside Pakistan you would have seen them as they would stand out amongst the native population. The Government has categorically said that there are no foreign troops inside Pakistan . We do not need foreign troops on our territory to take military actions.
Q: Could you update us on the Executive Committee Meeting of the OIC to discuss Gaza 's blockade?
A: The Executive Committee of the OIC will be meeting on 3rd February in Jeddah to discuss the situation in Gaza . Foreign Minister Mr. Inam ul Haque will represent Pakistan in the meeting.
Q: How prudent is it to send the Prime Minister on a foreign visit considering the problems faced by the country? Also since it is a caretaker Government is there a law against this? Can he be stopped?
A: Prime Minister is visiting Yemen . The largest component of his delegation is businessmen. He will be interacting with the government leaders and businessmen, particularly importers of Pakistani products, in Yemen . Thus the crux of the visit is to promote trade. Foreign policy and trade promotion canot be shut down while a caretaker government is in power. While returning he will be stopping for a business meeting in Saudi Arabia . He will also perform Umrah.
Q: How would you comment on the fact that the spokeswoman of the Israeli Defense Ministry hasn't contradicted reports of a second meeting between President Musharraf and Mr. Barak?
A: The President himself has talked about his chance meeting with Barak. His message was very clear and I have nothing further to add to it. We already spoke about it.
Q: In context of the meeting between President Musharraf and Barak, how would you describe relations between Pakistan and Israel ? Is Pakistan thinking of establishing diplomatic relations with Israel ?
A: We do not have any diplomatic relationships with Israel so there is nothing to describe. Our position on relations with Israel is known. No proposal is under consideration to establish relations with Israel . A just resolution of the Palestine issue is a pre-requisite for any movement in that direction.
Q: How will you comment on the statement of the Commonwealth Secretary General regarding the elections and relations with Pakistan ?
A: Pakistan 's position on relations with Commonwealth remains unchanged since the hasty suspension of our membership. Commonwealth Secretary General has said that they would consider reinstatement of Pakistan 's membership after the elections. We will also review our relations with Commonwealth then. We are not in any hurry on this account.
Q: What is happening about the Pakistanis detained in Spain on charge of terrorism?
A: We are in touch with the Spanish authorities through our Embassy in Madrid and our Consulate in Barcelona . We are fully seized of the matter.
Q: Could you update us on the number of election observers who are coming to Pakistan ? Is Pakistan going to accept observers from the Commonwealth?
A: Over 355 requests of election observers from various countries and organizations have been processed through the Foreign Office. The observers whose requests are processed through Foreign Office, include legislators and civil society members from foreign countries and Embassies' officials in Islamabad . They are being issued accreditation cards/passes by the Election Commission. We welcome observers from all over the world. As for as Commonwealth observers are concerned, you are aware that this organization has suspended our membership.
Q: Are there any media people coming to cover the elections?
A: Yes, they are also coming from all over the world. The Information Ministry is dealing with the foreign media.
Q: Will there be any follow up meeting between President Musharraf and Barak? What is Pakistan 's position vis-à-vis King Abdullah's peace plan for the Middle East ?
A: A chance meeting has no follow ups. Pakistan fully supports the position of the Middle Eastern countries and the Arab League on the resolution of Palestine issue.
Q: There have been media reports that a US missile hit Miramshah. What are your comments on this?
A: I am not aware of any such incident. I would, however, refer your to DG (ISPR).
|