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Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 15/08/2006

RECORD OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESPERSON ON 15 AUGUST, 2006

No statement was made in the beginning and the Press Conference opened with Question/Answer Session.

QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION

Asked why Pakistan 's role in combating terrorism was still being questioned and why despite Pakistan 's key role in foiling the London terror plot some people were portraying Pakistan as the hub of terrorism, the spokesperson said:

Obviously those who are making these statements or writing these articles are either suffering from amnesia or have very short memory. The seeds of terrorism in this region were sown when thousands of foreigners were brought to this region and inducted into the war in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union . Commentators who are writing these things should remember that it was certainly not Pakistan which created Al Qaeda and also that Pakistan was not in any manner responsible for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan which changed this region and for which the heaviest cost was borne by the people of Afghanistan and people of Pakistan . We are today facing the consequences of that war and the strategy of that war. We are committed to fighting terrorism. Rather than being an epicenter of terrorism, Pakistan is a frontline state in the war against terrorism. We are combating this danger along with the international community. The leadership of the United States and the United Kingdom acknowledges that fact. The British Prime Minister called the President of Pakistan the other day to thank him for the role played by Pakistan , Pakistani agencies and others involved in foiling the terrorist plot.

When her comments were sought on the statement by the Indian Prime Minister that Pakistan should take some ‘concrete' steps to curb the roots of terrorism and what was the nature of the ‘commitments' made by Pakistan that he was referring to, the spokesperson said:

Pakistan is committed to fighting terrorism. We are also committed to the peace process with India . This is a process that requires sincerity and commitment by both sides. This is the process that is meant to resolve issues and disputes that have caused conflict, tension and mistrust in this region. To allow terrorism to undermine this process would be unfortunate.

There is a long history of commitments by both sides. We all know who has failed to fulfill those commitments. Pakistan , as I said, is committed to fighting terrorism and we have been cooperating with the international community. The latest example of this cooperation is Pakistan 's role in foiling the London plot. That is what happens when countries trust each other, cooperate with each other and share intelligence with each other. We cannot cooperate with any country which is in the habit of making allegations. We have not received any evidence whatsoever in any terrorist act in India and it is not possible for Pakistan to offer any kind of cooperation in the absence of that.

Asked about the number of British nationals that had been arrested in connection with the London terrorist plot, and whether they would be extradited to the United Kingdom , and also if any Indian national has also been arrested on that count, the spokesperson said:

We have so far confirmed the arrest of one British national Rashid Rauf. He is being interrogated. The British Government has asked for ‘mutual legal assistance'. There is a Joint Judicial Working Group which provides the possibility of mutual legal assistance. This operation was the result of very close cooperation between Pakistani and British law enforcement agencies. That cooperation continues. At the moment, we do not have an extradition treaty with Britain . We are in the process of negotiating one. In these negotiations one or two issues still need to be resolved.

All suspects arrested in the London terror plot are British nationals of Asian or African origin. British Government would be in a better position to talk about the parentage or the countries of their origin. It is not for me to go into these details.

When her attention was drawn to the rejection by the Saudi King, as well as its cabinet the statement by President Bush that Muslims were fascist, the spokesperson said:

We have already said that fascism is a concept that did not originate in the Muslim world. It is western concept.

In response to a number of questions about the British national Rashid Rauf who was arrested on Pakistani soil in connection with the London terror plot, and whether there was any likelihood that he would be extradited to the British Government, because there had been an earlier precedent to that effect, the spokesperson said:

Rashid Rauf is a British national. We do not have any extradition treaty with the British Government at the moment. We may have a precedent of extraditing a British national. There is that possibility but we have not received any request for his extradition. So it would be hypothetical at this stage. Our mutual cooperation is in place and it will continue. We will continue to cooperate closely.

When her attention was drawn to the statement made by a BJP leader that India should take preemptive action against Pakistan and Bangladesh in order to cut the very roots of terrorism, the spokesperson said:

These are irresponsible and dangerous statements. We have already rejected them. I do not think any sane person would even consider such an option.

When asked to confirm the reports that Pakistan was carrying out joint investigation with UK and twenty countries into possible terrorist plots like London , the spokesperson said:

These are speculations. Obviously if there are any new leads anywhere, we cooperate with our international partners and we would conduct investigations. But the reports that we have launched a number of joint investigations with different European countries are speculative. We have already said that this particular case has international dimensions and investigations are continuing in Pakistan , Britain and elsewhere.

Asked about the details of an act of terrorism against Pakistani envoy in Sri Lanka , and whether Pakistan had requested the Government of Sri Lanka and other Governments in this region to provide additional security to our envoys, the spokesperson said:

We are not as yet sure whether it was a targeted attack or an incidental event. We would await the results of investigations by the Sri Lankan Government. We know they are looking into it and we have full confidence in their investigations. We did not ask them to step up the security of our High Commissioner; they were already doing that. We are satisfied with the kind of security they have provided to our High Commissioner. At the moment I would not comment about other countries of the region.

Asked to prove her earlier claim that there was a link between the London terror plotters and the Afghanistan-based Al-Qaeda, the spokesperson said:

We stand by that statement. The interrogation and investigation we have conducted substantiate our view that this was an Al Qaeda operation - Al Qaeda based in Afghanistan . I am not in a position to say anything more on that without the risk of compromising the ongoing investigations.

Asked, with reference to her response to an earlier question, to define the term ‘Mutual Legal Assistance', the spokesperson said:

It means a number of things. Specific information about the person of Rashid Rauf has been sought. Our agencies would now be taking the follow-up action on this case and there will continue to be close coordination.

Asked about the nature of interrogation and investigations being carried out in Pakistan and elsewhere in so far as Rashid Rauf was concerned, and on what grounds he had been detained, the spokesperson said:

At the moment I am not in a position to go into their details. The process is ongoing. He was put in the judicial process a few days back. He was presented before a magistrate. That is a legal requirement for detaining an individual and this is the due process of law. Our investigation agencies are quite satisfied with the way the case is progressing.

He is detained on the same charges on which twenty-four people were detained in Britain . Now they are twenty-three, as one of them has been released. The initial investigations justify the arrest. That is why the Government has pursued the legal path for his further detention.

Asked to confirm the veracity of news reports that the terror plotters had transferred funds to a charity organization in Pakistan on account of the earth-quake relief, and that they intended to volunteer with the Jamat-ud-Dawa in that connection, and also whether Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest owing to these reports, the spokesperson said:

These are all absurd stories. The objective is to malign Pakistan and to cast a shadow on the efforts made by Pakistan to uncover and foil this terrorist plot. The ridiculous nature of these claims becomes evident from the fact that it is being suggested that for a terrorist act in UK money was transferred to Pakistan under the guise of earthquake assistance and then transferred back. Those who have been following the earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan would know that the system was very transparent and there is absolutely no link between the two. The Government of Pakistan closely monitored the earthquake related relief activities.

Separately on the question of terrorist-financing, I may tell you that it is an issue that preoccupies the international community including Pakistan . Monitoring money transactions and taking action on terrorist financing is an obligation under the UN Security Council resolutions on the subject. Pakistan 's efforts and investigations in this regard have nothing to do with the London terrorist plot. These are all absurd, baseless allegations. Let me clarify here that no Pakistan official has spoken to the media. No statement on this count has been made and no such information has been disclosed. These are all fabricated stories. Someone somewhere is cooking up these stories.

The arrest of Hafiz Saeed has absolutely nothing to do with this case. He was put under house-arrest because of some statements which were considered not to be in the public interest. Hafiz Saeed has not been connected with any terrorist plot or any terrorist incident. This is absolutely baseless. We have no reason to believe that any one involved with this plot came here for earthquake relief work. There is absolutely no connection.

Asked how Pakistan could boast to be playing a major role in combating international terrorism when even the names and number of person arrested in connection with the terror plot were not being disclosed and that in the absence of information media was bound to speculate, the spokesperson said:

It is not the question of Pakistan claiming credit. The British Government has acknowledged it. The British Prime Minister did not call leaders around the world. He called the President of Pakistan to thank him. The British Home Secretary, in his statement, acknowledged the international community's cooperation, particularly of Pakistan . The US Administration has acknowledged Pakistan 's key role. So it is not our claim. To say that in the absence of information, people have the right to cook up stories, I am sorry I do not agree with that.

When asked if it was the assessment of the Government that there was a serious threat from India because President Musharraf had made a very strong statement about the preemptive action by India , the spokesperson said:

The President was basically allaying the fears that might have arisen in Pakistan . Leaders of one of the main political parties in India have been talking about ‘hot pursuits', ‘surgical strikes' and ‘preemptive action' etc. We have made our position very clear. Our defence is very strong and we do not think that anyone would even think about such an irresponsible approach.

Asked why Jamat-ud-Daw'aa was still operating in Pakistan since the US Government had declared it a terrorist organization in May 2006, the spokesperson said:

We are aware of the US decision to proscribe Jamat-ud-Dawa (JUD). We do not have any evidence of JUD's involvement in any terrorist activity, neither the US Government has shared any evidence with us or the reasons for proscribing it.

Asked about the agenda and schedule of the ongoing visit of Foreign Minister Kasuri to Syria and Lebanon and what role Pakistan was likely to play in the post – ceasefire Lebanon , the spokesperson said:

The Foreign Minister has already left. It is an OIC mission. The initiative came from Malaysia which is the Chair of the OIC summit. This visit is for consultations and also to show solidarity with Lebanon .

We are watching the situation closely. We are encouraged by the endorsement of the ceasefire by the principal parties. What is of immediate concern here is that ceasefire should hold; Israel should withdraw from the south of Lebanon and Lebanese forces should be deployed there. There are other challenges like reconstruction to rebuild Lebanon after the massive destruction caused by the Israeli aggression. The other challenge is resumption of negotiations - the peace process for a permanent peace in the region which would depend on the settlement and a just resolution of the Palestinian issue.

In response to a question about the so-called image-deficit, Pakistan had been suffering from, the spokesperson said:

I have already talked about that. There are vested interests. There are people who malign Pakistan no matter what. Of course, we have also talked about why there are terrorist links in this region.

Asked how much the US Government was assisting Pakistan in tackling the terrorism – related issues, the spokesperson said:

We are all assisting each other. We are partners. It is not a one-way traffic. It is something that all of us are doing in our national interest. It is our common cause and we are helping each other.

Asked when Rashid Rauf was arrested and whether he provided a lead to the involvement of other terrorists, the spokesperson said:

Our statement is very clear that arrests in Pakistan triggered arrests in the United Kingdom . This is what we have said. This is what the British government has said. It was a coordinated action. Pakistani and British security agencies were working on this case for some time. They were sharing information.