Spokesman Briefings
Date: 28/07/2008
Record of the Press Briefing on 28 July 2008
Opening Statement-I
15 th SAARC Summit , Colombo , 2-3 August 2008
15 th SAARC Summit will be held in Colombo , Sri Lanka from 2-3 August 2008. Heads of States or Governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh , Bhutan , India , Maldives , Nepal , Pakistan and Sri Lanka will attend the Summit .
The Summit will be preceded by the meetings of the SAARC Council of Ministers (31 July – 1 August), Standing Committee (29-30 July) and the Programming Committee (27-28 July). Foreign Minister, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi will participate in the 30 th Session of SAARC Council of Ministers and the Prime Minister will lead Pakistan 's delegation in the Summit . The occasion will also be utilized for bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit .
A number of SAARC documents including the Charter of SAARC Development Fund; Agreement on the Establishment of SAARC Regional Standards Organization (SARSO); SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters; and Protocol on the Accession of Afghanistan to SAFTA are expected to be signed during the Summit .
Opening Statement-II
President's visit to China
At the invitation of the Chinese Government, President Pervez Musharraf will be visiting China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on August 8, 2008 . Leaders from various countries have confirmed their participation at the opening/closing ceremonies of the Games. The President will have an opportunity to meet these leaders on this occasion. He will also be meeting with the Chinese leadership including President Hu Jintao.
China has been preparing for the Olympics since 2001 and all necessary arrangements for security and convenience of the spectators have been completed. The theme of the Beijing Olympics, “One World One Dream" reflects the essence of the Olympic spirit - Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony and Participation.
Pakistan was honored to host the Olympic Torch Relay on April 16, 2008 when it passed through Islamabad . The Torch Relay, which was the first such event in Pakistan , was an outstanding success. Both the President and the Prime Minister attended the ceremony.
Pakistan 's sports contingent consists of 35 members which will participate in the events of hockey, atheltics, shooting and swimming.
The participation of the President of Pakistan in this mega event and his interaction with Chinese leaders will provide further impetus to our close and traditional ties with China .
Question/Answer Session
Q: What do you say about media reports which say that India is involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan ?
A: We have seen the reports but I am not in a position to comment on them at this stage.
Q: Pakistan has opposed the Safeguards Agreement over India-US nuclear deal. Would Pakistan also oppose this during the upcoming vote in the IAEA? How do you see the future of FMCT?
A: Pakistan 's position on this issue is well known. For us, national security is supreme and the Government will do everything in its power to defend it. Pakistan 's position was enunciated at the highest level in the National Command Authority (NCA) meeting on 2 nd August 2007 . I have nothing further to add.
Regarding your question about FMCT I am not equipped to predict the future including the future of FMCT.
Q: What is the present state of Pakistan-India relations in the backdrop of recent firing across LoC?
A: The incidents of firing across LoC had been discussed in the flag meetings between the two sides. The latest incident was in Battal Sector. India has denied that it had fired on Pakistani post. I believe, however, that the overall direction of Pakistan-India relations remains positive. I hope negative incidents such as cross LoC firing will not recur.
Q: What is IAEA's reaction to Pakistan 's nuclear programme after the A. Q. Khan's disclosures? Will NSG look into the matter?
A: The A. Q. Khan's statement should not be read in international context as our interaction with the world on the A. Q. Khan issue is a closed chapter. A. Q. Khan has retired a long time ago and is not involved with our nuclear programme in any way since his retirement. I may add that Pakistan is not a member of NSG.
Q: What is your response to missile attack in WANA today?
A: I have seen the news on electronic media. However, the concerned authorities have not confirmed if any such attack had taken place. It normally takes a day or so before a report of an attack in a far flung area is investigated.
Q: What are Pakistan 's expectations from Prime Minister's visit to US?
A: Prime Minister is on his first official visit to US. There will be a meeting with President Bush who is also hosting a dinner for him. A number of senior officials including Secretary of State are calling on the Prime Minister. The whole gambit of relations including political, economic and strategic relationship between the two sides will be discussed. Pakistan-US relationship is an important relationship not only for Pakistan but also for the US . This relationship is also important for the security and stability of our region.
Q: Is there any meeting scheduled between Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India on the sidelines of SAARC Summit? Do you expect India to level same old allegations against Pakistan during SAARC Summit especially with regards to the recent terrorist violence in India ?
A: I am not aware of any meeting between the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India but Foreign Ministers of the two sides are meeting on the sidelines of the Summit . I cannot predict what a delegate would say or do during the forthcoming Summit .
Q: Will the Investment Treaty be discussed during the Prime Minister's visit to US?
A: The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between Pakistan and US is under discussion for quite sometime. This is also on the agenda of the talks during the Prime Minister's visit.
Q: What is being done with regard to detention of Washington based Pakistani journalist Nayyar Zaidi?
A: We have seen the news of Nayyar Zaidi's arrest in the papers today. We are not sure about the veracity of this news, which we will seek. We will provide whatever assistance is required by the family of Mr. Nayyar Zaidi.
Q: What is the progress regarding UN probe into the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto?
A: The UN is working out the modalities. We hope that the investigation would commence in the coming weeks.
Q: Why has Pakistan not gone to the Security Council instead of Secretary General for the probe and is it correct that this investigation would cost US $ 100 million?
A: Pakistan 's approach to UN was in line with the unanimous resolutions adopted by the National Assembly and all Provincial Assemblies to request the UN Secretary General to constitute an independent inquiry. I have seen the news item regarding the cost which is purely speculative.
Q: What is the update about Dr. Afia's detention at Bagram Air Base?
A: We are in touch both with the US authorities, who operate the facility at Bagram, and the Afghan Government. We were told that there is no Pakistani lady in detention. The PRO of Bagram Base has also told the media that no Pakistani woman is held there.
Q: Indian External Affairs Minister has termed Pakistan 's apprehensions regarding India-US nuclear deal as “rubbish”. What do you say about it?
A: I have not seen the statement. Anyways, I am not in the business of commenting on the language of any statement.
Q: In the wake of some recent events, what is the mood of Pakistan-India relations? Is there any change? What happened in the Foreign Secretary level talks?
A: There were some unfortunate statements but I would characterize the overall relationship as positive. The Foreign Secretary level talks succeeded in fulfilling its agenda of scheduling meeting for the 5 th Round of Composite Dialogue. Also, LoC related CBMs, were announced after the meeting. The maintenance of positive momentum of relationship between Pakistan and India is important for the prosperity of some 1.4 billion people of South Asia and the stability of the region.
Q: Indian Foreign Secretary has stated that India should provide credible evidence regarding its allegation about Pakistan 's involvement in the attack on Indian Embassy in Kabul . Has India so far provided any evidence to Pakistan ?
A: India has not provided any evidence in support of this allegation.
Q: In the past US made some commitments that though it will not help Pakistan in nuclear energy field yet assistance in other fields will be provided. Has US been fulfilling its commitments?
A: We have extensive cooperation with the US which includes developing conventional and non-conventional energy sources. We hope that cooperation in the filed of nuclear energy will also become a part of this cooperation. |