Foreign policy to focus on economy: foreign minister

RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD (December 12 2002) : Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has said that the new administration's foreign policy will continue to focus attention on strengthening national economy and handling opportunities and challenges of the World Trade Organisation system.

In his first 'tour d'horizon' of national foreign policy since joining the Jamali administration at the centre last month, the Minister told the Editors of national newspapers from across the country the intention is to strengthen economic relations with all countries and economic blocs.

He assured his audience of national media the Foreign Office would direct Pakistan's missions abroad to give priority in their efforts to increase national exports and lead in foreign investment. For this purpose, he added, his Ministry would work closely with those entrusted with the economic affairs and also the chambers of commerce and industry to give strategic direction to the national economic and trade policies.

Kasuri said that Pakistan wants friendship and peace with India but will not accept its hegemony in the region.

He said that the new civilian authority in the country had offered to resurrect a dialogue with India for the resolution of all issues, but declared that Islamabad would not be coerced into compromising its principled position on the Kashmir dispute that it should be resolved in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The minister said the new administration would continue to maintain combination of conventional and strategic capabilities to ward off any possibility of aggression, and preserve the national integrity.

He said that strengthening of "our deep and abiding friendship with China" remains a fundamental goal of the national foreign policy.

About Pakistan's relations with Japan he said these were regaining strength and vitality, as Tokyo has withdrawn its economic sanctions imposed after the nuclear tests of 1998.

Reviewing relations with the US, the European Union and the Islamic world, Khurshid expressed satisfaction and confidence that these will further grow with the passage of times. In this respect he mentioned the economic assistance promised by Washington for the social sector programmes, particularly education, and underlined the revival of Pakistan-US Defence Consultative Group and its meeting here in September last.

Regarding European Union collectively and its member nations individually, the Minister pointed out that these countries were likely to enhance their trade and investment in Pakistan and were appreciative of Pakistan's war against terrorism and extremism.

Speaking about the postponement of Saarc Summit, Kasuri laid the blame squarely on India saying that it had caused a situation that did not leave any other choice for the host country.

The Minister also reviewed relations with Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and the Central Asian Republics and described them as cordial and friendly.

He said Jamali Administration looked forward to Iranian President Khatami's visit to Pakistan later this year.

The main features of Khurshid Kasuri's 45-minute address to the media leaders were:

"Pakistan, I believe, should pursue foreign policy that takes us forward along with other nations in search of development, peace and security.

Pakistan should be a strong force for regional peace and stability, engaged with its neighbours in a partnership for prosperity and a reliable interlocutor of the world community on global issues.

Today, Pakistan is an important member of the international community. On 27 September 2002, Pakistan was elected as a member of the UN Security Council for a two-year term beginning January 2003, with an overwhelming majority. This constitutes a resounding vote of confidence of the international community in the pragmatic and far-sighted policies pursued by Pakistan.

The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001, created turmoil in the world, which affected the policies of every nation. Pakistan's choice to join the international coalition in the war against terrorism has enabled the global coalition to make important gains in the anti terrorism campaign. It has brought Pakistan great appreciation and important stature as a key member of the international community.

Our support for and participation in the international coalition has been widely appreciated. It has significantly improved our relations not only with the United States and the West but also with Iran, Central Asian States, Russia and other Muslim countries. There is warmth and a greater sense of purpose in our relations with all these countries.

United States: Following the September events, the US took a number of concrete measures to assist Pakistan in various spheres. These include economic assistance, budgetary support and debt rescheduling. The US also has undertaken to assist us in social sector programmes particularly in the field of education.

A series of sanctions imposed against Pakistan over a 20-year period have been waived by the US. In the important area of defence, the Pakistan-US Defence Consultative Group has been revived and has subsequently met in Rawalpindi on 26-27 September 2002.

European countries: Pakistan further strengthened its cordial relations with the European countries. Meaningful trade relations have been established with them and prospects for enhanced foreign investments in Pakistan have improved. Our relations with European countries acquired a new momentum since September 2001. Individual European states as well as the European Union have deeply appreciated Pakistan's position to fight terrorism and extremism.

India: With regard to India and the all-important issue of Kashmir, we offered resumption of dialogue to India for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and other issues. I am convinced that, acting in the interest of our people, the Governments of Pakistan and India need to find the best medium of commencing a dialogue

As a result of our steadfast position on the Kashmir issue the international community has realised that Pakistan-India relations and prospects for durable peace in the region cannot improve as long as the root-cause of tensions, the Kashmir dispute, is not resolved in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan cannot be coerced into compromising its principled position on the Kashmir dispute. We, however, would continue our endeavours for de-escalation of tension caused by the massive deployment of Indian troops along our borders and the resumption of dialogue for a just and durable resolution of the Kashmir dispute and other issues.

Saarc Summit: Having failed to achieve the desired objective, through its coercive diplomacy, India further hardened its position on a dialogue with Pakistan. By refusing to confirm the dates proposed for the 12th Saarc Summit to be held in Pakistan, India created a situation where we were left with no option but to postpone the Summit scheduled for 11-13 January 2003.

China: Strengthening our deep and abiding friendship with China continues to remain a fundamental goal of our foreign policy. China has extended generous economic assistance to Pakistan and is playing an important role in Pakistan's infrastructure development. This assistance includes the Gwadar Deep-Sea Port project, the Thar Coal Mines and Power Plant project and the Duddar Lead-Zinc Mine project.

Japan: Our relation with Japan, which had imposed economic sanctions against Pakistan after the nuclear tests in 1998, are also regaining their strength and vitality. Japan has recently announced US $ 300 million grant assistance to Pakistan over the next two years. It rescheduled Pakistan's loans of yen 64.7 billion (around $550 million), under the Paris Club Agreement.

Asean: Pakistan also continues to enjoy and improve its relations with all the members of the Association of South-east Asian Nations.

Islamic world: Pakistan's position in the Islamic world is a matter of satisfaction and pride. Our fraternal relationship with Saudi Arabia continues to be a source of strength for our nation. We also enjoy mutually beneficial relations with the brotherly countries of the Gulf, West Asia and Africa. Our support for all Muslim causes, especially over the Palestine issue remains steadfast.

Turkey: Pakistan and Turkey are bound in an exemplary and time-tested relationship that has grown stronger with the passage of time. The manifold commonalties between the two countries and peoples are reinforced by the strong resolve of their leadership to further intensify mutual co-operation in all fields.

Iran: Given the long tradition of friendship and co-operation and deep cultural bonds between Pakistan and Iran, relations with Iran receive special attention. Pakistan-Iran relations are marked by increasing interaction and meaningful economic co-operation. We look forward to President Khatami's visit to Pakistan later this year.

Meaningful economic co-operation between the two countries is priority of our government's focus on relations with Iran and will figure prominently in the talks.

Afghanistan: Events in Afghanistan have always had a profound influence on Pakistan. Pakistan fully supports the Bonn Agreement and the Government of President Karzai. During my recent visit to Bonn to attend the Petersburg Conference to commemorate the first anniversary of the Bonn Agreement, we reiterated our support for Mr Karazai's Government.

Restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan is not only in the interest of the people of Afghanistan but also in the national interest of Pakistan as well as the entire region. It is vitally important that the international community follows through on its commitments for the re-construction of Afghanistan.

Central Asian Republics: Pakistan enjoys close and cordial relations with the Central Asian Republics. We are also pursuing an extensive policy of developing transport and communication network from Afghanistan to the Central Asian Republics. One such project relates to the development of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline project from Turkmenistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan under the Agreement between the three parties that was signed at Islamabad on 30th May 2002.

Strategic capabilities: With regard to security policy, Pakistan maintains a combination of conventional forces and strategic capabilities to deter Indian adventurism. Our sole aim is to prevent aggression and to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan does not harbour any expansionist or hegemonic designs, or covet regional domination.

Economic relations: The new government would particularly focus on strengthening Pakistan's economic relations with all countries and economic blocs, paying particular attention to the opportunities and challenges of the WTO system.

We would continue to direct our Missions to give priority to their efforts to increase our exports and help bring in foreign investment.

The Foreign Office will work closely together with the Economic Ministries and the Chambers of Commerce to give focus and a strategic direction to our economic and trade policies.

Pakistanis abroad: Expatriates are a valuable asset in projecting Pakistan, and our policies. Therefore, we intend to ensure that our Missions keep in close contact with our communities; are receptive to the problems and difficulties faced by expatriate Pakistani nationals; and safeguard their interest with their host nations.

Copyright 2002 Business Recorder (http://www.brecorder.com)