Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 20/02/2006

RECORD OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESPERSON ON 20 FEBRUARY 2006

OPENING STATEMENT

At the last briefing, there was a question about the number of Pakistani prisoners in Afghanistan . At the moment our prisoners in Afghanistan are between 30 to 40. They are under detention for their reported involvement in serious crimes. The number of Afghan prisoners in Pakistan , after the release of some 500 of them last week, is 400.

QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION

- When her comments were sought on the reported remarks by the Afghan President Hamid Karzai during his visit to Wali Bagh suggesting that he did not recognize the Durand Line, the Spokesperson said:

We have seen the Afghan President's interview with a panel of Pakistani journalists. He was specifically asked this question and his response was that it was not an issue between our two countries. We also hold the view that this is not an issue. There is an international border.

We also noted the statement by Afghan President that people should be able to travel between Pakistan and Afghanistan without visa. That again is an expression of confidence about the relationship that we have between our two countries. No such issue has been formally raised with the Government of Pakistan.

- Asked, with reference to media reports, whether the visiting Afghan President had handed over the wanted Talibans list to Pakistani authorities, and if the remnants of Taliban are still on Pakistani soil, the Spokesperson said:

We were asked this question earlier as well. So far we have not been able to confirm to whom this list was handed over and if there was indeed such a list. The Ministry of Interior is not aware of any such list. This list was not handed over during President Hamid Karzai's meetings with the President and Prime Minster. We have also not been able to ascertain if such a list was indeed handed over to any other agency.

- Asked, in the backdrop of recalling of Pakistani Ambassador from Denmark over the Cartoon controversy, whether Pakistan would recall its Ambassadors from other European countries as well, the Spokesperson said:

No, there is no such proposal.

- Asked whether Pakistan had asked for an apology from Denmark over the cartoon episode, the Spokesperson said:

There has been a qualified apology from the newspaper. There are two sides to the issue. One, we want Denmark and other European governments to take actions and practical steps to stop such incidents from happening in future. Two, while it is the right of every Muslim to protest and to make his or her voice heard, because this is something that has deeply hurt Muslims, we expect that these demonstrations and protests would stay peaceful, because violence only damages our image.

- Asked whether diplomatic relations between Denmark and Pakistan still existed, because Danish Ambassador had been recalled from Pakistan and vice versa, the Spokesperson said:

Of course the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Denmark exist. Our Mission in Denmark is still operating. We have more than twenty-five thousand Pakistanis there. We cannot abandon them. Our Mission is providing consular services to our community there. We have been told that the Danish Ambassador has gone back to Copenhagen temporarily.

- Asked whether Pakistan was satisfied with the response of the U.N and E.U over the cartoon issue, and if enough steps had been taken to redress the issue, the Spokesperson said:

Well, we have seen the statements by the European Union and by the Secretary General of the United Nations. What we want from the European Union now is concrete steps. It is not enough to say that in their society there is no tolerance for discrimination and they regret the hurt caused. What is needed is legislation to prevent such acts. We are not against the freedom of expression, but certainly freedom of expression as we have said repeatedly, is not a license to insult other people. In this case, we do expect the European Union to put in place some laws that would ensure that in future there are no such incidents. The OIC meeting on 14 February at Jeddah had outlined a number of actions. The list embodies what the Muslims expect the UN and the European Union to do. These included: adoption of necessary legislative measures by the European Parliament against Islomophobia; EU and OIC may jointly make efforts to adopt a UN resolution. The resolution 60/150 was adopted by the UN General Assembly at its 60th Session at Pakistan 's initiative. This resolution talks about the need to combat Islamophobia. What we are looking at now is to put in place some binding resolution that would require States to take measures to stop defamation of religions. Also, the OIC has asked the European countries to adopt the code of conduct for media. The code of conduct should take into account the sensitivities of Muslims, and also curb defamation of the core beliefs in any forms or manifestation, and this would include mocking and criticizing the Prophets. In fact, this code of conduct should make it an ethical offence in Europe.

We also want the United Nations to take a number of steps. The UN should adopt an international communication order which should cover limits of freedom of speech in case of religious symbols. At Pakistan 's initiative, the OIC as a group is now talking to the UN Secretary General, UN members and also the President of the UN General Assembly to include two paras in the preamble and in the operative part of the resolution on the proposed Human Rights Council. In addition to that, we would also explore the possibility of the United Nations adopting a convention that would require States to curb defamation of religions.

- Asked what mechanism was available to Pakistan to put pressure on the European Union on this count, the Spokesperson said:

Pakistan , along with other OIC members, is talking to the European Union, and to the entire membership of the UN, the international community at all forums. OIC is a large organization. We hope the OIC efforts would produce some results.

- In response to a question about the spread of deadly virus i.e. bird flu in the neighbourhood of Pakistan , and what measures had been taken to prevent it entering into Pakistan from India , the Spokesperson said:

Of course, we are very concerned and we are taking measures. Such deadly viruses do not recognize international borders. As we speak, a meeting is being held to finalize steps that we can take. Some vaccines are available which can be used to prevent the spread of this disease. We understand that this vaccine was earlier available in the international market. However now the governments are stocking it naturally as a preventive measure to ensure that in case there is an outbreak, they are able to take care of their people first. This issue has been discussed at the UN as well. It is the responsibility of all States to cooperate with each other because it could result in a big humanitarian disaster. There have already been casualties in Turkey and other countries. This is a virus that can affect people at large. So we need to cooperate. So far, fortunately, there has been no report of the virus in Pakistan.

The Ministry of Health is taking necessary measures in this regard. We have not sealed our borders with India.

- When her comments were sought on the reported inking of an agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear technology between India and France , the spokesperson said:

We have seen the report that India and France have signed an agreement. We have not yet seen the details of what this agreement entails. Our position is as we have repeatedly said that Pakistan and India have the same status. These are nuclear weapons States that are not parties to NPT. We do expect that any concession or exception granted to India in the context of NSG or any other multilateral arrangement would be applicable to Pakistan as well. We have a civilian nuclear programme. Our civilian nuclear facilities are under IAEA safeguards. We have a very strong legislation on export control, and we do hope that if an exception is made that should be extended to Pakistan as well. We also have our nuclear energy requirements. We would be willing to accept full IAEA safeguard for every civilian nuclear power plant that we may acquire as a result of such a cooperation.

- Asked about the impact of the recent killing of two Chinese engineers at Hub in Pakistan on Pakistan 's relations with China , and if the Government had failed to protect the foreign nationals, the Spokesperson said:

I do not agree that the Government has failed in its duty. This is a terrorist act. Despite a government's best efforts, terrorists act do take place. This terrorist act has been carried out to create problems between Pakistan and China . It was done on the occasion of the President's visit to China . Fortunately, our relations are so strong that we can overcome such problems. A Chinese team is already here. They have met Secretary Interior a while ago. They are very satisfied with the steps the Government of Pakistan is taking. We will continue to extend full cooperation and security to the Chinese working in Pakistan.

- Asked whether Pakistan would continue recognizing Palestinian Authority under Hamas, and whether it was considering to invite Hamas leaders to Pakistan , the Spokesperson said:

We have repeatedly said that we recognize any government that people of Palestine elect. It is their decision and any government that represents their aspirations is acceptable to Pakistan . We have also said that we have noted that elections in Palestine were peaceful, fair and violence-free, and we welcomed that.

At the moment, there is no proposal of inviting them. The government is still in the process of being formed. A delegation from Pakistan is expected to visit Gaza . Whenever the Palestinian government is able to indicate the dates for this visit, it will take place.