DATE=5/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN / U-S TERRORISM (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261904
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A senior Pakistani official has strongly
rejected U-S allegations that Pakistan harbors
terrorists. In an interview with V-O-A, Pakistan's
chief diplomat, Inam ul-Haq, says his country is not
linked to terrorism and that the allegations are
"unfounded'. From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.
TEXT: Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Inam ul-Haq says
his country condemns terrorism and has cooperated with
the world community in its fight against terrorists.
Therefore, he says, the allegations against Pakistan
in the annual State Department report on terrorism
issued Monday are unfounded.
/// FIRST HAQ ACT ///
Pakistan has always condemned terrorism in all
its forms and manifestations. We are opposed to
terrorism. In fact, Pakistan itself has been a
victim of terrorism for the last almost two
decades, particularly since the initial
occupation of Afghanistan by the then Soviet
Union. And we have continued to work with the
international community to combat terrorism in
various forms. In fact, even with the United
States we have a cooperative relationship in
terms of fighting terrorism.
/// End Act ///
Foreign Secretary Haq denies the allegation in the
State Department report that Pakistan supports
militant groups fighting Indian rule in the disputed
Kashmir region. The United States and India consider
these groups as terrorists.
/// SECOND HAQ ACT //
Pakistan is not involved inside occupied
Kashmir. We have in the past provided diplomatic
and political support to the Kashmir cause and
we will continue to do so. That, however, does
not mean that Pakistan is in any way involved in
violence inside Indian-occupied Kashmir. The
international community has always held that
terrorism cannot be equated with national
liberation struggles, and the struggle of the
Kashmiri people is a struggle for national
liberation. And therefore, it cannot be equated
with terrorism.
/// END ACT //
Washington has been pressuring Pakistan to secure the
custody of alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden from
neighboring Afghanistan's dominant Taleban faction.
The United States accuses Mr. Bin Laden of
masterminding the 1998 bombings of two U-S embassies
in Africa that killed more than 200 people.
Foreign Secretary Haq says Afghanistan is an
independent country and that his country cannot be
expected to interfere in its internal affairs.
/// THIRD HAQ ACT ///
Pakistan has been using its influence in a
positive direction with the Afghan government.
Pakistan in fact has called upon and requested
the Afghan government to close down any
sanctuaries or any training camps that might
exist on the Afghan soil. Pakistan can only make
efforts with the Afghan government. It cannot
interfere in the internal affairs of
Afghanistan. That would be contrary to
international law.
/// END ACT ///
/// REST OPT ///
Meanwhile, Pakistan's military leader General Pervez
Musharraf told reporters in Islamabad the definition
of terrorism needs to be clarified.
/// MUSHARRAF ACT ///
I just want to say there is a difference of
understanding on who is a terrorist. The
perceptions are different in the United States
and in Pakistan, in the West and what we
understand is terrorism.
/// END ACT //
General Musharraf says there definitely are no
Pakistani-based groups involved in terrorism (Signed).
NEB/AG/gm
02-May-2000 13:23 PM EDT (02-May-2000 1723 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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