Pakistan not to allow U.S to operate inside country
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Sept 12, IRNA
Pakistan-US Operation
Pakistan has not allowed the United States to operate from its territory against terror suspects, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
There is no special U.S intelligence unit in Pakistan and all operations are carried out by Pakistani authorities, Tasnim Aslam told the weekly press briefing.
To a question, the spokesman said there is no evidence to suggest that Osama Bin Ladin could be in Pakistan.
She also rejected the speculations that Taliban chief Mullah Omer was sighted any where in Pakistan.
These are all speculations, the spokesperson said.
About Pakistan's role in the war against terrorism, the spokesperson described it as outstanding and this has been acknowledged by the world community.
Replying to a question she said the peace agreement in the troubled North Waziristan tribal region is not between the Government of Pakistan and Taliban.
It is between the Government of the North West Frontier Province and Tribal elders under which the latter have pledged not to allow any cross border movement for military purposes.
She pointed out that before the launch of the operation two years back, similar terms and conditions were offered to the tribal leaders and foreigners but at that time they were not acceptable to them.
This agreement is also in line with the policy of Pakistan that military operations alone do not provide solution of the problems of violence, extremism or terrorism.
She said Pakistan has called for a comprehensive strategy to eradicate terrorism with focus on both military and political aspects of the problem.
Responding to questions at the weekly news briefing about successes and failures of the five year war against terrorism, the spokesperson said there has been a lot of focus on the military action.
She said a comprehensive strategy with short term and long term components is needed to defeat the scourge of terrorism.
In the short term, military action is required as we cannot allow terrorists to get away with their plans of destruction.
The long term component should take care of the root causes of terrorism and extremism.
She identified the root causes as festering political disputes, sense of deprivation and alienation, economic inequities and lack of development.
About President Musharraf's meeting with the Indian Prime Minister on the sidelines of NAM summit at Havana, she said they would discuss a broad agenda including Jammu and Kashmir.
She said there will be a meeting next month on Baglihar dam issue and the neutral expert is expected to give his interim decision.
The final judgment is likely by the end of the year.
The spokesperson confirmed that Pakistan has objections to the revised design of the Kishan Ganga project.
The revised design also provides for diversion of water which was Pakistan's basic objection of the design.
Ms. Tasnim Aslam said Pakistan would be sending a de-mining mission to Lebanon on the specific request of the Lebanese leadership.
The Lebanese Prime Minister had sought Pakistan's assistance for removal of landmines and cluster bombs.
It is not a peacekeeping mission, she said.
2020/235/1771
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