News, August 2003, www.aljazeerah.info
Human Price of the Israeli Occupation of Palestine
Israeli daily aggression on the Palestinian people
Mission and meaning of Al-Jazeerah
Cities, localities, and tourist attractions
Kashmir Is the Core Issue: Jamali
P.K. Abdul Ghafour • Arab News Staff
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali performing Umrah. (Photo by Rana Javed)
JEDDAH, 23 August 2003 — Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who arrived here on Thursday for talks with top Saudi officials, has said he is optimistic that the ongoing negotiations between his country and India will help resolve all problems between the two nuclear powers.
However, the prime minister said Kashmir would remain the central bone of contention between the two countries until the Kashmiri people win the right to self-determination. He denied Islamabad had contacts with Israel but reaffirmed its support for the US-led war on terrorism.
“Pakistan intends to establish a peaceful, cooperative and friendly relations with its neighbor India. From this standpoint, we have asked India several times to enter serious and continuous negotiations,” Okaz Arabic daily quoted the premier as saying.
He also stressed his government’s efforts for Pakistani expatriate workers. “We plan to set up a special unit at the prime minister’s office to handle their complaints and solve their problems,” he explained.
In the wide-ranging interview, Jamali expressed his satisfaction over New Delhi’s recent peaceful overtures.
“The two countries have taken mutual steps to improve relations, including the reappointment of ambassadors,” he said and emphasized the importance of pushing this peaceful direction to gain momentum.
Referring to his country’s growing ties with the US, the premier said that an agreement had been reached with the US to provide $3 billion to Pakistan in economic and military assistance over the next five years. “We have joined the global war on terrorism to protect our national interest, not for the sake of any money or reward,” he pointed out.
He also disclosed that Pakistan had been given back all the money it had paid for to purchase F-16 fighter planes after the US Congress refused to endorse the deal.
He insisted Pakistan had no desire to play the role of a policeman on behalf of any party. Asked about Pakistan’s plan to send troops to Iraq, he said the government was waiting for parliamentary approval to take the decision.
“The government is now holding consultations with the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Arab League. A final decision on the matter will be taken after parliamentiary approval,” he added.
Jamali rejected suggestions that there were conflicts between him and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. “It’s the elements who do not want this elected government to work successfully who are spreading these rumors. In fact, I have very good relations with the president. We have held several meetings over the past days to discuss important issues. I have benefited a lot from President Musharraf’s experience in handling vital issues,” he said.
Jamali called on opposition parties in Pakistan to cooperate with his government to promote parliamentary democracy and the rule of law in the country. “My government believes in solving all national and constitutional issues through dialogue,” he said.
The Pakistani premier said Islamabad wanted to maintain good relations with neighboring Afghanistan on the basis of good intentions and mutual understanding. He commended the efforts being made by Afghan President Hamid Karzai to establish peace and stability in the war-torn country.
 |
| Earth, a planet hungry for peace |
 |
| The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03). |
 |
| The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03). |
 |