PARIS, July 4: President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday that world leaders had indicated that they were ready to help end Pakistan’s disputes with India.
Speaking at a press conference here at the end of a three-day visit to France, Gen Musharraf said ideally Pakistan and India would put aside differences over the Kashmir dispute and other issues.
“But if one of the (two) hands is not coming forward, then you require someone to facilitate,” Gen Musharraf told reporters, adding he preferred not to use the word “mediation”.
“There is a total understanding on this issue among all the world leaders today. I hope and think they will play a role in facilitating and encouraging dialogue,” he added.
President Musharraf said a “behind-the-scenes role” was already being played by third parties, but he did not specify by whom or what it involved.
The president said Islamabad’s envoy had already arrived in New Delhi to help restart the peace process, but added that Islamabad was still awaiting the arrival of an Indian counterpart.
TIES WITH ISRAEL: To a question about relationship with Israel, the president said any decision to recognize the Jewish state would hinge on the success of the fledgling Middle East peace process.
Acknowledging that the issue is a “very contentious one in Pakistan,” the president said nevertheless events in the Middle East demanded his attention.
“There is a requirement at this moment for Pakistan, because of this peace process which is moving ahead, to analyze its relationship with Israel and review it in our national interest,” he stated.
“We will try to develop national consensus on the issue of whether to recognize Israel,” he said, adding that full implementation of the Middle East peace roadmap “will really dictate our final stance.”
TRANSFER OF N-TECHNOLOGY: To a question about transfer of nuclear technology to Iran, President Musharraf said all allegations in this regard were baseless.
Describing it as a new allegation, the president said: “Pakistan is not at all involved in transfer of any technology to Iran, leave aside the nuclear technology or missile technology.”
President Musharraf said during his talks with the Western leaders he told them that Pakistan would never transfer nuclear technology or involve itself in proliferation of this technology.
TIES WITH N. KOREA: President Musharraf said that Pakistan currently had neither conventional nor non-conventional relationship with North Korea and allegations on this count were totally baseless.
“There is no relationship with North Korea either on conventional or non-conventional level,” he told a questioner.
Gen Musharraf said uranium was being enriched by Pakistani scientists on their own. There was no agreement to have any cooperation either in conventional or non-conventional fields between North Korea and Pakistan, he added.
TROOPS FOR IRAQ: The president said any decision on sending troops to Iraq would be taken in the national interests.
Gen Musharraf said Pakistan agreed in principle to send its troops to Iraq but would take a final decision on the matter after taking into account financial and political considerations.
He said Pakistan was looking at the consideration that the troops should be sent under the umbrella of the United Nations, the OIC or the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Pakistan, he said, had been asked to contribute two brigades of troops as part of international peacekeeping force.
IRAQ SITUATION: To a question about the situation in Iraq, President Musharraf said the world leaders should focus on the “explosive” situation in Iraq and not get involved in a debate whether the military action should have been taken in that country.
He said the world should unite on what to do in future. “We should look to future,” Gen Musharraf told reporters.
“The most important (issue) for the world, for every leader in the world is to understand that the situation there is fairly explosive — what can be done in the future and that is more important.”
“The world should be together in the future to resolve the tension in Iraq and bring, peace harmony and ensure territorial integrity of Iraq,” the president added.
Pakistan, he said, “stands for ensuring the territorial integrity of Iraq because it would unleash forces which may destabilize the entire region.”
N-ASSETS: Meanwhile, speaking at a large gathering of Pakistanis near Eiffel Tower on Thursday, President Musharraf said nuclear assets and the Kashmir cause were close to every Pakistani’s heart and there could never be any compromise on these two issues.
Only a traitor could think of a compromise on the core interests of the country.
“Anyone compromising on the core interests of the country, nuclear power, missile programme and our international stance on Kashmir would be a traitor,” he said.—Agencies
Paul Michaud adds: President Musharraf said his trip to France “was a special pleasure for me and my entire team. We were touched by the warmth, cordiality, and hospitality extended to us by the government of France, by President Chirac, Prime Minister Raffarin and Foreign Minister de Villepin in this beautiful city of Paris.”
Speaking of his tour overall, during which he also went to the UK, the US and Germany, he affirmed that it had been a “very wholesome, complete visit. I go back feeling very satisfied at the achievements, the outcome of this visit.”
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