Spokesman Briefings

Date: 26/06/2008

Record of the Press Briefing on 26 June 2008

Opening Statement

Foreign Minister's visit to India from 27-30 June 2008

At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister of India, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, will visit India from 27-30 June 2008.

During his visit, the Foreign Minister will hold talks with the Indian External Affairs Minister on issues of mutual interest and explore the possibility of furthering bilateral cooperation for the common benefit and prosperity of the two countries.

The Foreign Minister will call on the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh. He will also meet the political leadership of India.

The Foreign Minister will meet a delegation of the Kashmiri leaders.

The Foreign Minister will also deliver a key note address at the Center for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Chandigarh.

The visit will help Pakistan and India carry forward the peace process and address the


Announcement

D-8 Summit, Malaysia 4-8 July 2008

The 6 th D-8 Summit will be held in Malaysia from July 4-8. The Prime Minister will attend the Summit.

The theme of the 6 th D-8 Summit is “Meeting Challenges through Innovative Cooperation.”

The Developing 8-(D-8) was formed as an economic development alliance. It consists of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. The announcement to establish D-8 was made in Istanbul, Turkey on June 15, 1997. The D-8 Summit is held once every two years. The last summit was held in Indonesia in 2006.

Question/Answer Session

Q: APHC has recommended talks between leaders on both sides of LOC. How do you view this?
A: Pakistan believes that people to people contact on both sides of the LOC will be useful and will facilitate the dialogue process.

Q: Why has the obnoxious statement by President Karzai met a lukewarm response from Pakistan?
A: A number of statements emanating from Afghan leaders are irresponsible and ill-considered. Our responses were well-considered and issued after due consultation. Conduct of foreign policy requires maturity.

Q: How long will the 3 million Afghan refugees enjoy Pakistan's hospitality?

A: During tripartite negotiations between Pakistan-Afghanistan- UNHCR, it has been agreed that all Afghans be repatriated to their homes by 21 st December 2009. Pakistan will adhere to this time table.

Q: The Spokesman of Afghan Intelligence has accused Pakistan of plotting assassination attempt on Karzai. What is your response?

A: It may be recalled that Pakistani leadership had condemned the attack on President Karzai and was gratified that he was not harmed in the attack. This was a natural expression of a genuine sentiment on the part of a brotherly country that wished to foster close ties with Afghanistan. In the subsequent meetings and contacts between the leaderships of the two countries, no hint of any misgivings on this score was given by the Afghan side.

Against this background it is a bit surprising that such allegations are leveled against Pakistan and at this stage. Also, because other reports in international media suggest that the attack had something to do with a massive intelligence and security failure, or some kind of problems between the Afghan intelligence apparatus and the government. We have noted that most of the people arrested after the attack were employees of the Afghan government including the Afghan Ministry of Defence. Anyhow, it is not for Pakistan to comment on such reports. That is purely an internal affair of Afghanistan. What is however, regrettable is that these allegations suggest that responsible members in the Afghan government, perhaps wish to reignite the blame game. Pakistan rejects these baseless and irresponsible allegations and the attitude and proclivity behind them.

While wishing people and government of Afghanistan security, stability and progress, we hope the Afghan government would adopt serious attitude and desist from vitiating the atmosphere of bilateral relations with Pakistan, since that has not helped matters in the past and will not in the future as well.

Q: Has USA recently released money to Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund and what is Coalition Support Fund?

A: The United States has transferred $373.841 million to Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) on 24 June 2008. Out of this amount some $119 million were pending since 2007 while the rest of the reimbursements were from this year.

Coalition Support Fund is reimbursement of expenses that are incurred by Pakistan in its anti-terrorism operations along the Afghan border.

Q: What is your response to the criticism leveled against Pakistan's deals with Taliban in FATA?

A: The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to countering terrorism with the support of people of Pakistan.

We are pursuing a multi-pronged strategy against terrorism which combines political, socio-economic and military elements. A strong implementation mechanism is part of these negotiations. The Government believes that military action alone will not be effective in permanently ending the menace of terrorism. Our aim is to isolate the hardcore terrorists and extremist elements.

Peace talks in Waziristan are conducted with tribal elders and notables. The tribes themselves were seeking these negotiations. Political engagement is possible only with those who renounce militancy and violence; don't allow the use of our territory against any other country; and do not help foreign terrorist elements to find hideouts in our territory.

We feel that the use of force alone can lead to self perpetuating violence. However, the determination to use force, where required, remains an important element of our strategy.

The armed forces are not withdrawing from South Waziristan. They are being repositioned in order to enhance logistic agility and effectiveness of action. Peace in FATA will ensure access to the Government to engage in socio-economic development of the area.

Our international partners are being kept informed. A number of countries have expressed understanding for this policy. We are briefing others.

Q: Is there any possibilities of involvement of foreign hand in disturbances in FATA?

A: There is presence of certain foreign element which is fanning trouble in our tribal areas. Expulsion of foreign elements from FATA is a priority task of the government.

Q: It has been reported in the media that the nuclear bomb design in digital format, which was in the possession of the Tinners of Switzerland, was similar to Pakistani design provided by Dr. A.Q. Khan. What is your response to this?

A: A section of media have carried a news item that the nuclear bomb design in digital format, which was in the possession of the Tinners of Switzerland, was similar to Pakistani design. This conjecture is surprising as no foreigner has any access to Pakistan's nuclear designs. It is not understood how anyone could reach such a conclusion.

This story raises a number of questions. If Tinners files have relevance to Dr. A.Q. Khan, then why were they destroyed? Why have Western investigators not extracted details of transactions from the Tinners? Why are the Tinners to be released? The files should have been shared with Pakistan, if they were genuine and relevant to Dr. A.Q. Khan.

No foreign government has contacted us in this case which shows that the news item is speculative and part of the propaganda campaign against Pakistan. A.Q. Khan has no official status for last several years and in no manner he can indulge in nuclear proliferation.

Q: What is happening with the joint Pak-US investigation into the Mohmand Agency attack? Will its finding be binding on both sides?
A: The joint investigation of Mohmand agency incident has begun. A Pakistan delegation is visiting Bagram near Kabul today. The findings of the joint investigation team will be implemented.

Q: Media has reported an eye-witness account of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad meeting in Bahawalpur. Your comments please?

A: I am not aware of the eye-witness account of any banned organization.

Q: When will the Prime Minister be visiting USA? What is the schedule for Pak-US strategic dialogue?

A: The Prime Minister's visit to US is on the cards. An invitation was received for the visit and accepted by the Prime Minister. We are working on different sets of dates for the visit.

Pak-US strategic dialogue was initially planned for July. However, we have certain scheduling issues. The dialogue will therefore be held after July. We will announce the date as soon as it is determined.

Q: What is the latest on Pakistan's request for UN probe into the shahadat of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto?

A: The request for carrying out a UN probe into the shahadat of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto has already been submitted to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and is being reviewed by the UN Office of the Legal Affairs. The request was submitted by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN. The Foreign Minister will visit New York early next month to meet the Secretary General and representatives of the Security Council member countries for consultation.

Pakistan's request for the UN probe is in line with the aspirations expressed in the unanimous resolutions adopted by the National Assembly and the four Provincial Assemblies.

Q: Do you reject the statement made by Afghan leaders regarding Pakistan's involvement in attacks on Afghan and Coalition Forces?
A: The statements we have seen recently are mostly ill-considered, baseless and irresponsible. They neither help Afghanistan nor the war on terror.

Q: Is it correct that the countries who ask for UN probe in an issue bear the cost of the probe?
A: I believe that there are precedents where the countries were asked to pay the cost of investigation as well as there are incidents where the UN picked the tab.

Q: It is reported that Pakistan has shared information with the Interpol about 169 most wanted Al-Qaeda men. Can you share details with us?
A: I have not seen this specific news item. However, otherwise Pakistan has an information sharing mechanism with partners in war on terror regarding terrorist organizations and individuals.

Q: When and where will Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meet and who will represent Pakistan in the meeting?

A: The 17 th Session of the Iran Pakistan Joint Economic Commission will be held from 28-29 June 2008 in Tehran. Pakistan's delegation will be led by the Finance Minister Syed Naveed Qamar while the Foreign Minister of Iran Manouchehr Mottaki will head the Iranian side.

Q: What are your comments on the efforts of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to bring about unity in their ranks? Also please tell us whether the Foreign Minister will meet the APHC leaders during his visit to New Delhi?

A: We welcome the efforts being made by the leadership of All Parties Hurriyat Conference to bring about unity in their ranks. We hope that the meeting between Mirwaiz Muhammad Umer Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani held on 19 June 2008 would enable the Hurriyat to play a more effective role in the realization of the rights of the Kashmiri people.

A three- member delegation of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of the Foreign Minister. The Foreign Minister has already met them yesterday. The Foreign Minister will again meet the APHC delegation during his visit to New Delhi.

Q: What is the latest on prisoners' issue between Pakistan and India? What progress has been made by the Pakistan-India Judicial Committee on Prisoners?

A: A Judicial Committee comprising eminent judges from Pakistan and India was established on Pakistan's suggestion. The Committee will facilitate the release of each other's prisoners in Pakistan and India.

The first meeting of Pakistan-India Judicial Committee on Prisoners was held in New Delhi on 26 February 2008. The second meeting of the Judicial Committee was held in Pakistan from 9-13 June 2008. Upon the recommendations of the second meeting of the Judicial Committee, the new lists of prisoners will be exchanged on 1 st July, 2008. The Judicial Committee visited Pakistani prisons last week. The Indian prisons will be visited by the Judicial Committee on 20-27 July 2008.

On 31 st March 2008, in accordance with the recommendations of the first meeting of the Judicial Committee, Pakistan and India exchanged lists of prisoners detained in each other's jails. Pakistan had provided complete lists of Indian civil prisoners and fishermen held in Pakistan which included 53 Indian civil prisoners and 436 Indian fishermen. The list provided by the Indian side about Pakistani prisoners, which was to be updated subsequently included 133 Pakistani civil prisoners and 14 Pakistani fishermen.

Additional list of 91 Pakistani prisoners was handed over to Pakistan by the Indian authorities on 9 th June 2008. We believe that the list is still incomplete and are awaiting for additional names from India. Steps recommended by the Judicial Committee to streamline the release of prisoners are being implemented.

Q: The Governor of Kandahar presented chained Pakistani prisoners in a press conference alleging that they were suicide bombers. What are your comments on this?

A: Parading captives in chains, and in public, no matter who they are and for what reasons they are taken into custody, is a medieval practice; not different from what Taliban occasionally indulged in in the past.

Other than reinitiating its blame game, the Afghan authorities have still not provided any information about the so called Pakistani prisoners to us. Afghan officials need to understand that war against terrorism and extremism can not be won through coerced confessions and parading of captives in public.