Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 15/05/2006

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

OPENING STATEMENT

There was a clarification about media's speculation regarding the President's visit to the United States and the spokesperson said that no such visit was planned.

QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION

- When asked to comment on a series of statements by Indian leaders on the Siachen issue, the spokesperson said:

I would not comment on statements emanating from India. There is an internal debate going on. What we expect from these talks is progress; I would not like to prejudge the outcome. Our expectations remain that we will be able to move forward and we are focused on what comes out of these talks.

- When asked to comment on the test of Agni Missile III conducted by India and its security implications for Pakistan, the spokesperson said:

We do not want an arms race, nuclear or conventional in this region. We are exercising restraint. We are however, very much alive to our security concerns and we are ready to meet our security requirements.

- When her comments were sought on the latest on Baghliar and Kishan Ganga dams, the spokesperson said:

As I have repeatedly stated from this forum that the Baghliar issue is before the neutral expert. We are in touch with him as provided in the terms and conditions. A meeting of neutral expert with both sides is expected at the end of this month or early next month.

- Asked whether she had a brief on the expected visit of Dr. Manmohan Singh to Pakistan, the spokesperson said:

No, we have no information.

- Asked what expectations Islamabad had from the Indian Round Table Conference about Kashmir to be held in Srinagar, the spokesperson said :

The important thing is what are the expectations of Kashmiris and whether they want to participate in the process.

- When her attention was drawn to a ‘Washington Times' story that quoted a Congress report claiming Islamabad's confirmation that A.Q. Khan network had offered nuclear technology and hardware to Syria, Iran, Libya and North Korea, the spokesperson said:

First, the annual report to the Congress, which I have seen, and what the newspapers reported, are very different. Secondly, we have repeatedly said that we have conducted thorough investigations and shared information with the IAEA and other relevant countries. If anything new comes up, we have made a commitment that we will investigate and share the results.

- When asked to comment on Pakistan's position about the gas pipeline project between Iran and Pakistan , the spokesperson said:

Pakistan's position on the subject has already been made clear. Our position remains unchanged. As also has been stated by the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the gas pipeline is our requirement. We are committed to it and we are working on this project.

- When asked about Islamabad's position on acquiring the membership of the Shinghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the spokesperson said:

Pakistan is part of this region and the SCO agenda is of interest to Pakistan. Of course, Pakistan would like to be a full member of the Organization.

- Asked whether the OIC was considering any plan to help the Hamas-led Palestinian government, the spokesperson said:

As you know some individual countries are helping Hamas which came to power in Palestine as a result of free and fair elections. So far as the OIC is concerned, a resolution had been approved by the Senior Officials' Meeting in Jeddah last week. It urged all member states to extend immediate financial support to the elected government and the people of the State of Palestine. However, to become operational, the resolution would have to be adopted by the ICFM in Baku next month. The proposed resolution calls upon all member states and peace loving nations to extend immediate financial support to the elected government as well as the people of the State of Palestine to enable them to overcome the problems in the wake of suspension of financial support from the U.S, E.U and Canada.

- When her comments were sought on Afghan Foreign Minister's claim that Osama Bin Laden was present on the Pakistan side of the border, the spokesperson said:

We have already responded to that. No body knows where Osama Bin Laden is. If he is alive, the chances are that he might be in Afghanistan. But we cannot say anything for sure. These are speculations and one speculation is as good as the other.

There was another part of the statement in which it was alleged that Pakistan is making half-hearted efforts to trackdown Osama Bin Laden. This kind of rhetoric is unfortunate. In the war against terrorism, Pakistan has sacrificed more in terms of human life than the combined loss of Afghanistan and ISAF. We have deployed 80,000 troops on our side of the border to interdict terrorists. We have a record of doing more than any other single country in the war against terrorism. These allegations are absurd and if anyone is making half-hearted efforts, it is the other side. Afghans need to concentrate on taking actions on their side, instead of leveling accusations at Pakistan. If they have any evidence, they should share it with Pakistan, because that is the proper way. Going to the press making wild accusations does not help anyone.

- Asked whether the signing of the “Charter of Democracy” in London by two former Prime Ministers of Pakistan amounted to United Kingdom government's meddling in Pakistan's internal affairs, and whether an Extradition Treaty existed between Pakistan and United Kingdom , the spokesperson said:

First of all we do not have an extradition treaty with UK to seek anyone's extradition. Secondly, Mr. Nawaz Sharif was given permission to travel to London. I don't think United Kingdom is interfering in our internal affairs. We do not allow anyone to interfere in our internal affairs.

- When asked about the latest on the investigations in the case Amir Nazir Cheema, the spokesperson said:

Our investigators are there and they have participated in the investigations into the unfortunate death of Pakistani student Amir Nazir Cheema. They would submit their report to the government on return.

- When asked to comment on real causes of Amir Cheema's death and whether there would be any impact on Pak-German relations of this tragic incident , the spokesperson said:

Amir Cheema's death is very tragic and we have lost a promising young Pakistani. The German Government has conducted investigations. Our investigators also joined the probe. They have got full cooperation from the German authorities. They will submit their report when they return to Pakistan. Pakistan and Germany have good bilateral multifaceted cooperation and we do hope that this tragic incident would not have a negative impact on Pak-German relations. This is the desire of both the countries.

- When her comments were sought on the expected visit of Afghanistan's Foreign Minister and whether his recent utterances could have a negative impact on relations between the two countries , the spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister of Pakistan and Afghan President met during the recently concluded ECO summit at Baku. They were of the view that the two Foreign Ministers should meet regularly and discuss all issues. The people of the two countries have very long, deep-rooted, historical, cultural and religious relations, which are a binding force between the two nations. We look forward to the Afghan Foreign Minister's visit and we do hope that minor issues would jeopardize our relations. They can be discussed and removed amicably.

- When her comments were sought on Balouchistan governor's statement about smuggling of Russian arms to Pakistan via Afghanistan , the spokesperson said:

I don't have to comment on the statement of the Governor of Balouchistan. He is a responsible person and if he has said it, I'm sure he would have information on the basis of which he said that.