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Spokesman Briefings
Date: 10/12/2009
Opening Statements:
i) Foreign Minister's visit to Bahrain and UAE
Foreign Minister has left on a four-day visit to Bahrain and the UAE from 11-14 December. In Manama , the Foreign Minister will participate in the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue 2009 on “The Future of Regional Security”. He will deliver a keynote address at the Session on Afghanistan , Southwest Asia and the Gulf, on 12 December.
The Foreign Minister will also have bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference. He is scheduled to meet his French counterpart tomorrow and meetings with other counterparts are likely to be held.
At Dubai , the Foreign Minister will chair a Conference of Pakistan's envoys to the six GCC countries, namely; Saudi Arabia , UAE, Qatar , Kuwait , Oman and Bahrain on 14 December. The Envoys Conference will review Pakistan 's relations with the GCC countries and how to inject further substance into these relationships to which Pakistan attaches great importance. The Conference will especially dwell on problems and difficulties faced by the Pakistan community in these countries and ways and means to address them.
ii) Pakistan-Japan Political Consultations
Foreign Secretary Slaman Bashir will be visiting Japan to attend the Fifth Round of Pakistan-Japan bilateral political consultations to be held on 11 December 2009. The last round was held in Islamabad in December 2005. The Foreign Secretary will call on the Japanese Foreign Minister Okada during his stay in Tokyo . The consultations will provide an opportunity to discuss the whole gamut of bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest including economic cooperation, Japanese assistance under FODP, fight against terrorism, climate change and non-proliferation. You would recall that Foreign Minister Okada had paid a visit to Pakistan in October 2009. This was his first bilateral visit abroad after the assumption of office by the Democratic Party of Japan. The Foreign Secretary's visit will help further enhance existing relations between the two countries.
Question-Answer Session
Q: What is your response to the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Russia and the nuclear cooperation agreement that have been signed. How will this affect the security balance in the region?
A: You will agree that we have a legitimate interest in ensuring that the strategic balance in South Asia is maintained under all circumstances. This is all the more necessary given jingoistic statements emanating from New Delhi about waging “limited wars” based on its dangerously naive “Cold Start” strategy. Needless to say major powers also have special responsibility in this regard. Unfortunately, discriminatory policies being pursued by some major powers are indeed contributing negatively, enabling India to pursue its ambitious nuclear weapons programme ever more rapidly to the detriment of peace and stability in South Asia . Pakistan cannot be oblivious to these serious developments. We will take every step necessary to protect our legitimate security interests. There will be no compromise on maintaining the credibility of our nuclear deterrence.
As for peaceful uses of nuclear technology, Pakistan , as you know, is facing energy deficit, which, among other things, is also affecting our economic growth. We would, therefore, urge the Nuclear Supplier's Group to dispense with policies that negate the very spirit of the IAEA Statute.
Q: Please update on media reports that five Americans were arrested in Sargodha by Pakistani security forces?
A: I do not have an update on that but I think this question should be addressed to our relevant agencies.
Q: What is Pakistan 's response to Indian involvement in terror attacks in Pakistan . What stops Pakistan from taking up the issue of Indian activity in Pakistan . Interior Minister Rehman Malik and D.G. ISPR have stated that evidence of Indian involvement in terror attacks in Pakistan has been handed over to the Foreign Ministry. However, the Foreign Minister commented that the evidence is not sufficient. What is the status of this issue. Are we only engaged in blame game and point scoring?
A: First of all let me make very clear that we do not believe in blame game. Having said that I think enough has been said on this particular issue. And let me also make clear that it is not our intention to conduct this sensitive matter through the media. Pakistan will proceed in the matter as appropriate in the best interest of the country as was also stated by our Prime Minister yesterday and today. The matter of Balochistan, as you all know, was raised by our Prime Minister with his Indian counterpart at Sharm-el Sheikh.
Q: What is Pakistan 's position regarding US hot pursuit in Pakistan to combat terrorism?
A: I think we have already articulated our position and this is one of our red lines and there is simply no question of allowing any hot pursuit. Pakistan armed forces are capable of undertaking operations against militants and terrorists on their own and we do not really need any assistance in this regard.
Q: A retired Major of Pakistan was arrested for links with Al-Qaeda. Is there any chance of extradition to the US since he was charged in the US . Is there any extradition treaty between Pakistan and the US ?
A: I would not like to get into specifics as to who has been arrested and how our investigations are proceeding. These are sensitive issues and one would not like to discuss these in the open. Our record against terrorism and militants speaks for itself and we have been cooperating with the international community to root out terrorism and our cooperation would continue in all aspects. As for the latter part of your question, there is no extradition treaty between Pakistan and the US , but our two countries have been cooperating on case-to-case basis under the arrangements existed between British India and US.
Q: What is the current status of the Iranian diplomat who was kidnapped a year ago?
A: We have not heard anything of late from the relevant agencies but I can assure you that our agencies are sparing no effort to recover him safely and as soon as possible.
Q: Regarding Pakistani leadership's concerns over the new Afghan strategy of the US Government, what discussions have been held?
A: There are discussions taking place through the normal diplomatic channels. We are also expecting some senior level visits next week and the US - Afghan policy will surely be on top of the agenda.
Q: Is there any back channel diplomacy between Pakistan and India at present. Is Mr. Riaz Muhammad Khan performing any role in this?
A: There is no back channel diplomacy between the two countries a present.
Q: It is reported that India is willing to withdraw some of its forces from Kashmir . Has there been any practical withdrawal or is India attempting to deceive the world?
A: I think you better ask this question to India because they will have to take a decision on that. This is one of the demands that has been put forward by the Hurriyat leadership. Nevertheless, we do not know of any withdrawal. A statement was made to this effect but as usual there is no action.
Q: Can you confirm the nationalities of the five men arrested in Sargodha . Can you also confirm the numbers?
A: As I said earlier, I would not like to get into specifics but I understand that people who have been arrested are US nationals and some of them are of Pakistan origin. I would again submit that let us not get into specifics even on the numbers.
Q: President Obama in his speech and later Robert Gates stated that the US would launch ground and drone attacks on militants and al-Qaeda leadership, including Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan if Pakistan could not do so. Is the Pakistani Government negotiating the issue of drone attacks in Balochistan?
A: As regards the latter part of your question, no way. As for the former, our position is clear and I would recall that US leaders have lately accepted that we do not know of the whereabouts of al-Qaeda leadership. We have seen statements to this effect. I think we come down to the same point that had we know the whereabouts of al-Qaeda leadership we would have addressed this particular issue long ago. Let me reiterate that there is no credible information or intelligence about the whereabouts of al-Qaeda leadership and according to our information and intelligence reports they are not in Pakistan .
Q: President Obama will be receiving the Noble Peace Prize. Your comments please?
A: We congratulate President Barack Obama on becoming a noble laureate and we sincerely hope that during his tenure as President, the US will engage more intensively and extensively in resolving the issues that continue to threaten the peace and stability especially in South Asia and the Middle East.
Q: An ex-army official reported that General Musharraf handed over bases to the US without the consent of the Corp Commanders. Kindly comment?
A: I think our Minister for Defence has already spoken on this and I would suggest that you refer this question to D.G. ISPR.
Q: Pakistan and the US claim to be close allies cooperating on the war against terror. However, they do not agree on the whereabouts of al-Qaeda's leadership. Also please comment on the threats of increased drone attacks by the US ?
A: It is not a matter of convergence or divergence about Osama Bin Laden. The upshot is what credible intelligence or information we have. What we have been saying all along is that if any country has credible information, it should be shared with Pakistan rather than making statements through the media. This continues to be our position. If we get some credible information, we will act on it.
Q: In Lahore , Americans were arrested by security forces but released due to pressure from the US Embassy. Will the Foreign Office issue them an advisory/warning or are these people above the law?
A: They are not above the law. There are certain norms and practices for diplomats around the world to follow. We expect all diplomats based in Pakistan to follow those norms and practices as Pakistani diplomats do around the world.
Q: What is the update on Pakistani fishing boat hijacked by Somali pirates?
A: Our High Commission in Nairobi is in touch with the Somali Government. As soon as we have an update, we will share with you.
Q: What is the current status of composite dialogue. Is there any discussion between the Prime Ministers of both countries?
A: Obviously, there is no progress and as our Foreign Minister said yesterday we are interested in a meaningful, constructive and result-oriented composite dialogue. The ball is clearly in India 's court.
Q: Iranians claim that the head of Jandola, Abdul Manik, is in Balochistan. Your comments please?
A: We do not have any information or intelligence about his presence in Pakistan .