ASSOCIATED PRESS OF PAKISTAN
NEWS SUMMARY
(24-03-2000)
No peace and progress in region without settlement of Kashmir: Gen. Musharraf
ISLAMABAD, Mar 24 (APP): Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said peace and progress in the region is possible only after a peaceful settlement of Kashmir which remains cause of all strife. Addressing a crowded press conference basically to unfold Government's plan for the devolution of power at the district level, he said Kashmir is a " cause of all strife in the region." Pakistan, he said, would request the US President Bill Clinton when he visits Islamabad to play a role in peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute. "I would like to tell him clearly that peace can be brought about in the region by addressing the issue," which is bedeviling the relations between India and Pakistan". General Musharraf said, he would, "request the US President to play some role while remaining in the background for the solution of issue." When asked what message, he would like to give to Clinton, General Musharraf said, there are lot of things that would be discussed with the US President. Pakistan would tell Clinton "We are for peace. We want peace in the region first of all. Because no progress is possible without it," he added. To another question on the US, declaring India as an equal partner, he said, "American relations with India are their own concern. We will not be competing.". Pakistan, he said, would develop its own relations with the US on one to one basis.
He said if Pakistan was strong economically, even the most powerful state would be talking to it. " No one can ignore such a state. But the weak is ignored so Pakistan must stand on its own feet," he added. Gen. Musharraf when asked to comment on a CIA report carried by the press on Thursday that a war is possible between India and Pakistan, said, its," likelihood is very very low." Pakistan, he said, has a deterrence in place and is capable of defending itself. " Every one must know that we will defend ourselves. We know how to defend ourselves. There is no fear on that and we will defend ourselves against any enemy. We shall not be afraid. We are not intimidated by any one," he said. He said there is a lot of tension and the situation is really very bad in South Asia. But the enemy is well aware that Pakistan can defend itself, he added. To another question on restoration of democracy , Gen. Musharraf said, Pakistan will take its decision based on national interest. "I don,t need approval from any one. I am working for the national interest," he added. He said what he had shared with the press Thursday, he would tell the US President as well. To a question that Clinton has said some," elements within Pakistani Government," are supporting militants in occupied Kashmir, he said, the US President gave his comments after discussion with Indian leaders.
"It will be pre-mature to comment on it unless we put across our viewpoint," he said. He expressed the confidence that Pakistan will be able to convince Clinton on the reality of the Kashmir situation. " I don't believe that Clinton will go away from the region endorsing Indian point of view. I hope he will moderate his views," on the issue of Kashmir, said Gen. Musharraf. Gen. Musharraf said India had been rejecting any offer of mediation and had coined the term of bilateralism. But its is unfortunate that India was," not ready to talk and wants to sideline the Kashmir issue." Pakistan wanted to tell India to end tension," killings, atrocities and state terrorism," in occupied Kashmir. Pakistan had been emphasizing that the main issue between the two countries should be resolved through peaceful means. Replying to a question on Pak-China friendship, he said," China is our friend and will always be a friend. I have no doubt about it." Pak-Chinese friendship draws its strength from the ," common perceptions on the regional and international issues. No one should have any doubt about it", he added. To a question on CTBT, he said," there is no pressure on him.
There is nothing of such sort. Neither there is any hurry" to sign the treaty banning nuclear tests. The CTBT, he said, is an issue in which a national consensus will be developed before taking a final decision on it. However, he said those who participate in discussion on CTBT, first must understand the issue and its pros and cons. Replying to a question about his views on the architect of modern Turkey Kamal Ataturk, he said, he had offered some comments during an interview with a Turkish journalist. Ataturk was a great man of Turkey and there should not be any doubt on that count. "But we have our own environment. I don,t have to copy anybody. There is no question of Ataturk's thoughts being implemented in Pakistan," said the Chief Executive. Every decision of the Government would be tailored-made to the conditions of Pakistan, he added. Clarifying his position on the concept of Jehad, Gen. Musharraf made it clear, he had no intention to support it internationally.
" I am not fuelling Jehad against any country," he said, and added "I am not reviving this concept rather it was some kind of dis-information spread against me," by the vested interest. Gen. Musharraf said, he had brought the concept of the Jehad in the upfront in the context of Afghanistan and an on- going indigenous struggle in held Kashmir. It was in this context that he had endeavoured to explain the phenomenon of Jehad. He said during the Afghan war the Muslims from Sudan, Egypt and from Far East came to join Afghans. He said in fact the concept of the Jehad was revived by the West to fight the Soviets' atrocities in Afghanistan. In Islam wherever the Muslims were victims of injustices, it was incumbent upon their brethren -in-faith to come to their help. To a question on his visit to Kabul, Gen. Musharraf said, Pakistan would like to bring peace there. " I would like to go to Afghanistan to meet Mullah Muhammad Omar," he added. He said as both the UN Secretary General's Special representative on Afghanistan and an OIC Committee were engaged in efforts to restore peace in the war-shattered country, he would like to visit it once the groundwork for some solution of the Afghan crisis had been laid.
To a question on the killing of 35 Sikhs in Annatnag in occupied Kashmir, he termed Indian accusations on Pakistan as ' absolutely baseless." Chastising the incident of killings vehemently, he said, " I condemn it with all my force." How Pakistan can commit such a folly and particularly at this juncture, he asked while rebuffing the Indian allegations. Such an action can pit Muslims and Sikhs in held Kashmir against each other, said the Chief Executive. Gen. Musharraf demanded a probe at the highest possible level into the gruesome incident to find out the truth who mowed down the 35 Sikhs. He said there is an evidence that this," act of terrorism," was perpetrated by the Indian soldiers in uniform. He referred to the statement made by an injured Sikh escaping the barrage of bullets by the Indian troops who had attacked the Sikhs in held Kashmir on Monday late night.
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