PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN

 

While terrorism, in all its complexities, was the most important question confronting the United Nations today; poverty, hunger and unemployment were also important issues that were increasing the gap between developed and developing countries, President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan told correspondents at Headquarters this afternoon.

At a press conference also attended by Foreign Minister Mian Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri and Information and Broadcasting Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, the President said that, because those issues were widening the divisions between North and South, they had far-reaching implications for the whole world and should, therefore, be addressed “most seriously”.  He paid tribute to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who had been a “pillar of hope” during the 1990s, ably steering the United Nations through turbulent times.

Asked about his country’s inconsistency on women’s rights, President Musharraf said he was trying to develop a consensus because there could be no reform without it.  Religious extremists and liberal forces were both threatening to take to the streets and the Government was dealing with them all in a balanced way.

Ultimately, he said, a decision would be taken on the two major issues involved -- rape and adultery.  Both issues would be addressed to the satisfaction of women.

To questions about the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he replied that his country was doing a lot, but more must be done in Afghanistan.  The Taliban, who occupied some 90 per cent of Afghanistan in 1995, were not from Pakistan, and Mullah Omar had never been there since that year.  While it was true that some Pakistanis supported the Taliban, the Government was meeting those challenges with actions in the military, political, administrative and reconstruction areas.  The reality was that the Taliban were in Afghanistan’s Kandahar region, where military action was required.

For 20 years now, Pakistan had borne the brunt of the problems in Afghanistan, he said, adding that, over the past seven years, he had learned a balancing act.  He was seen by some as too close to the United States and by others as not doing enough to confront terrorism.  There were also misconceptions, including that Pakistan had signed a peace agreement with the Taliban, whereas the agreement was with the jirga (Council) of regional tribal elders.  The bottom line was that there were no Taliban or Al-Qaida activities in Pakistan.  Only the day before yesterday, some Taliban had entered Pakistan after a skirmish in Afghanistan, and had been delivered to the authorities by the tribal elders, who were honour-bound by the agreement they had signed.

Regarding the Pope’s recent remarks about Islam, he said they were “absolutely irresponsible”.  Nobody had the right to hurt the feelings of millions of people, especially in the current critical and sensitive times.  The Pope should apologize for what he had said and not for the turmoil it had created.

Asked about his relationship with the Prime Minister of India, especially after their bilateral contacts during the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Havana, Cuba, he said they had held positive meetings.  There was a resolve to move on the peace process regarding Jammu and Kashmir and to narrow down divergences.

He said there was a desire among the people to achieve peace and the international environment was now suitable.  The leadership on both sides desired peace and had many proposals.  India cared about borders, while Pakistan was concerned that the “line of control” would become permanent.  The solution was to make the line of control irrelevant.  With the right political will, solutions could be found, but there were extremists on both sides.

Asked if an evil ideology was responsible for the carnage in Mumbai on 11 July or if that had been a consequence of the unresolved dispute over Jammu and Kashmir, he said he did not know who was responsible for the bombings, which he condemned in the strongest terms.  He had proposed a joint investigation into the matter, and offered to coordinate efforts to apprehend those responsible, but his proposals had been categorically rejected.

As for questions about the unease expressed over Pakistani security institutions sharing intelligence, he said those feelings were mutual.  There was also a certain apprehension about India sharing intelligence on Baluchistan, for instance.  However, institutional mechanisms would be created to address issues of mutual concern.

Asked how the United States could improve its standing among Muslims, President Musharraf said it should solve the Palestine dispute as soon as possible.  The United States was perceived by Muslims as completely pro-Israel, but if a just solution to the conflict could be reached, much of the damage to its image would be repaired.  Solutions to the problems of Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan were also necessary, but the core issue was Palestine.

Responding to a question about discrimination against his country over nuclear matters, he said Pakistan had already produced 300 megawatts of energy through nuclear means, and would add another 300 with Chinese assistance.  The question, therefore, was whether the United States and the West were willing to help Pakistan in its energy crisis.  Everyone should treat the country equally with other nuclear States.  In any case, Pakistan wanted nuclear energy with all International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, which it was ready to accept.

As for Iran, he said he opposed any nuclear proliferation, but believed every country had the right to generate nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.  No dispute could be resolved, unless all parties involved took a step back.

When asked whether Pakistan would support Shashi Tharoor as the successor to Mr. Annan, he said no decision had been made on the succession, which was a difficult choice.

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For information media • not an official record