Spokesman Briefings

Date: 10/10/2008

Record of the Press Briefing on 10 October 2008

Opening statement

President Asif Ali Zardari will pay a state visit to China from 14-17 October, 2008 at the invitation of President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Hu Jintao. The President would be accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, Minister for Environment, and the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission.

This is the first official bilateral visit of President Asif Ali Zardari abroad and that too to a country with which we have always enjoyed a high degree of understanding, trust and goodwill. The visit demonstrates Government’s resolve to take this “time-tested” relationship to ‘new heights’. Regular exchange of high level visits is the hallmark of close ties between the two countries. The President’s visit will provide an opportunity to both sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments.

The President will hold talks with President Hu Jintao in Beijing. Several agreements/MoUs are expected to be signed during the President’s visit. The President will also meet Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of National People’s Congress, Premier Wen Jiabao and Mr. Jia Qinglin, Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. President’s other engagements include interactions with heads of Chinese financial institutions and corporate sector as well as media. These interactions are aimed at enhancing commercial, industrial, banking and financial sector cooperation.

Pakistan and China have deep rooted ties which have been nurtured by four succeeding generations. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto played a pioneering role in laying the edifice of this relationship which was carried forward by former Prime Minsiter Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. This traditional friendship has evolved into a comprehensive, multi-dimensional, cooperative, future oriented partnership serving the interests of both countries. Both countries closely cooperate with each other at international fora. These relations are marked by convergence of views on regional and global issues.

Economic cooperation is the centerpiece of this strategic partnership. Two countries have developed an overarching architecture for sustained development of economic and trade relations which include Pakistan-China Joint Five Year Economic Plan signed in November 2006 and the Free Trade Agreement operational since last year. Bilateral trade between the two sides is now over $ 7 billion and both sides are committed to achieve a trade target of $ 15 billion by 2011. Pakistan-China Joint Investment Company, established in 2007, is geared to promote joint ventures and investments. In recent years, Chinese investments in Pakistan have shown an upward trend. An Investment Protocol of the FTA, to be signed during the visit, will also contribute significantly to inducing Chinese investors into Pakistan. Several projects of national significance are being executed with the Chinese assistance.

The President’s visit will mark yet another important step forward in reinforcing the all weather friendship between the two countries and open up new avenues for bilateral cooperation.

The Prime Minister will also be visiting China from 23-25 October 2008 to attend the Asia Europe (ASEM) Summit. Pakistan joined ASEM in 2006 and will be attending this apex gathering for the first time.

Question/Answer Session:

Q:      It has been reported that the Pakistan Senate delegation which is currently visiting USA has been denied permission for visiting Pakistanis detained at the Guantanamo Bay. What is the reason behind this? What is the total number of Pakistanis held at Guantanamo Bay and what is being done for their transfer or release? Do you have any details of the delegations meeting with Dr. Afia Siddiqui?

A:      The Senate delegation led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is currently visiting USA. The delegation met Dr. Afia Siddiqui on 7th October. Arrangements for the meeting were made by Pakistan Embassy in Washington and one of our diplomats was present during the meeting that lasted over two hours and forty five minutes.

However, the US authorities have expressed inability to arrange the visit of the Senate delegation to Guantanamo Bay. They informed us that the US regulations do not permit meeting of the delegations of this nature with the Guantanamo Bay detainees.

At present there are 5 Pakistani prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. Pakistan has secured the repatriation of 68 Pakistani detainees from Guantanamo Bay since 2003. The Government is in regular contact with the Office of War Crimes Issue, US Department of State regarding Pakistani detainees.

The issue of fair treatment and repatriation of Pakistani detainees is raised at all levels including in our leadership meetings with the US President. We are committed to seek repatriation of all Pakistani detainees.

Q:      How do you see Pakistan – India relations, particularly in light of the recent high level contacts?

A:      Pakistan desires mutually beneficial and harmonious cooperative relationship with India. We are committed to a serious, sustained and constructive engagement with India and early and full normalization of relations on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and non-interference. Considerable progress has been made in building mutual confidence through the Composite Dialogue process and it is our desire that this process should be carried forward and made result oriented for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

Pakistan is committed to expanding bilateral trade with India. We are also ready for liberalization of visa regime. Pakistan supports the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their destiny. We are committed to promoting intra-Kashmir interactions including cross-LoC trade. Pakistan would like to make early progress in resolving Sir Creek and Siachen disputes.

Pakistan has made a number of suggestions to address mutual concerns on security and counter terrorism which include making the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism more effective to discuss cooperation in counter terrorism and regular contact between DGs MO to ensure respect for the ceasefire. The National Security Advisors of the two countries will also meet shortly.

Q:      There are reports that India is violating the Indus Basin Water Treaty by curtailing the flow of water in Chenab River. What do you think about this violation and how Government of Pakistan is addressing it?

A:      We are seriously concerned over significant reduction in flow of water in Chenab River. It has caused extensive damage to our agriculture. The Indian action is a clear violation of Indus Waters Treaty. The Government of Pakistan was prompt to take cognizance of the issue both at the Indus Water Commission level and diplomatic level. The reduction in flow was protested by Pakistan Commissioner with his Indian counterpart through various letters and telephone calls.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also conveyed Pakistan’s concern to the Indian government through a note verbale dated 5 September 2008 with the request to restore full supply to Pakistan. The matter was also raised by the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan with the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad on 4 September and by the Pakistan High Commissioner with the Indian Foreign Secretary in New Delhi on 12 September. The Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad was called in on 13 September to convey Pakistan’s concerns and request the Government of India for immediate remedial action.

In response to our demarches, the Indian Commissioner for Indus Water Commission has invited our Indus Water Commissioner to inspect the Baglihar Dam. The visit is expected to take place from 18th October 2008.

We were assured that Indian government will take steps necessary to rectify the situation. Our efforts, however, will continue and intensify till the issue is resolved.

Q:      According to media reports, India has started a civilian trekking expedition to Siachen. Do you have any comments on this step from the Indian side?

A:      Siachen glacier, occupied by India in 1984 in violation of the bilateral agreements, is on the agenda of the Composite Dialogue between Pakistan and India. Its final status is yet to be determined, as agreed upon by the parties. Pakistan has taken up the matter with India expressing concern over the weeklong trekking expedition. The Government of Pakistan had also conveyed its objection to the organizing of a similar trekking expedition last year. Pakistan calls upon the Indian side to desist from acts that cast shadow on the peace process between Pakistan and India.

Q:      How do you comment on President Zardari’s statements in an interview to Wall Street Journal that India was never a threat to Pakistan, freedom fighters in Kashmir were terrorists; and US drones attacked in Pakistani territory with the Government of Pakistan’s consent?

A:      The Minister for Information has already issued a detailed statement giving Government’s position. All three sound-bites were wrongly attributed to President Zardari in the paraphrased interview published by the Wall Street Journal.

Q:      It has been reported in the media that 18 Pakistanis have died and 25 are injured in an accident in the Turkish city of Tekirdag. Is the Government taking necessary measures to extend assistance to these Pakistanis?

A:      The accident resulting in the death of 18 and injuring 25 illegal immigrants happened in Tekirdag, approximately 150 Kilometers away from Istanbul. Our Consulate General in Istanbul got in touch with the Turkish authorities and met the survivors soon after the accident who were found to be of Burmese origin. The deceased were also reported to be Burmese.

Q:      What was the outcome of the meeting of the Friends of Pakistan Group? What purpose does this group serve? When and where will the next meeting of the Group be held?

A:      The inaugural meeting of the Friends of Pakistan Group was held in New York on 26th September 2008 under the Chairmanship of President Zardari. The Group is co-sponsored by UK, US and UAE. The inaugural meeting was attended by UK, US, UAE, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Australia, Turkey, Italy, China, the EU and the UN. Participation in the meeting was mainly at the Foreign Ministers level.

The Friends of Pakistan Group will galvanize international support for Pakistan to meet the challenges the country is facing. The Group discussed the enormous challenges faced by Pakistan in terms of economic development and fight against terrorism and expressed   confidence in Pakistan’s capability to overcome these challenges. The participants assured Pakistan that it will receive greater support in UN, G-7 and EU forums.

The Group appreciated Pakistan’s multi-pronged policy to deal with terrorism and to give public ownership to this policy. It was also reiterated during the discussions that the international community will assist Pakistan in this difficult hour especially building the capacity of its institutions, correcting the economy and confronting terrorism.

In his opening statement the President stated that the international community had a collective responsibility in dealing with the present challenges in the region. He urged the participants to individually and collectively do what they can to assist Pakistan in implementing its national development agenda.

The next meeting of the Group will be convened in Abu Dhabi. The dates are being worked out through normal diplomatic channels.

Q:      What is the agenda of the visit of Iraqi Minister of Defence to Pakistan in November?

A:                Mr. Abdul Qadir Mohammad Jasim, Iraq’s Minister of Defence is scheduled to visit the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS-2008) at Karachi from 24 – 28 November 2008. He will also discuss bilateral collaboration in various areas of defence cooperation.

Q:      President Zardari had recently returned from an important visit from New York. Can you brief us about his engagements and meetings during the visit?

A:      President Asif Ali Zardari visited New York from 22-28 September 2008 to address the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly. President’s engagements included a bilateral meeting with President Bush; calls by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Deputy Secretary Treasury Robert Kimmitt, Governor Alaska and Republican Party candidate for Vice President Sarah Palin, and former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright.

The President also met with former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton. The President had telephone conversations with Senator Joe Biden, Chairman Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Democratic Party Candidate for Vice President; and Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. President Zardari also chaired a meeting of the Friends of Pakistan Group on 26th September 2008.

During his stay President Asif Ali Zardari held important meetings with President Nicholas Sarkozi of France, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, President Abdullah Gul of Turkey, President Lula da Silva of Brazil, Premier Wen Jiabao of China, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, Prime Minister Han Seung Soo of South Korea, Prime Minister Pushpa Kumar Dahal Prachanda of Nepal, President World Bank Robert Zoellick, global financier and philanthropist, George Soros and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

President’s media engagements included interviews with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Fox News, New York Times and the Washington Post. The President met the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, addressed a press conference, and met with a select group of pro-democracy activists form amongst Pakistani community from across the United States.

Q:      According to a news story, President Zardari had agreed to joint patrolling of Pakistan-Afghanistan border by the forces of the two sides. Do you confirm this?

A:      The reports that President Zardari had agreed to joint patrolling of Pakistan-Afghanistan border are incorrect. I may mention that we had seen an earlier news story about the reported Afghan proposal regarding joint patrolling of Pakistan-Afghanistan border but neither any formal proposal was received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor a decision taken in this regard.

Q:      It has been reported in the media that an 8000 square-foot portrait of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah made by Abu Dhabi based Pakistani artist, Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan was lost after it was handed over to the Government of Pakistan. What is being done to locate the portrait and to display it at some appropriate place?

A:      The portrait in question was not lost. It was dispatched to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad in February 2001 and was subsequently handed over to Environment Directorate, Capital Development Authority (CDA). In a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as recently as 6 June 2008, CDA confirmed that the portrait was in the possession of its Environment Directorate. A decision about the display of the portrait rests with CDA. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no authority to take a decision in this regard.