Pakistan's Role for Peace and Stability in Asia

Address by Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri
on April 26, 2006, at German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)

Honourable Prof. Dr. Eberhard Sandschneider

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!

1. It is a matter of great pleasure for me to be here at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). I believe that DGAP is a forum of great intellectual and academic interaction on issues of international and regional importance. I am glad that I have been afforded this opportunity to share my thoughts on “Pakistan’s role for the peace and stability in Asia”.

2. As you all know, the Asia continent has been the cradle of civilization through the centuries. Asian culture, heritage and traditions represent a rich mosaic cohesively interwoven by the unique genius, talent, knowledge and spirituality of our people. Asia has significantly contributed to the advancement of human civilization.

3. Today Asia is home to nearly two-thirds of humanity. It is abundant in natural resources. Asia accounts for over a third of global trade and is the largest recipient of global FDI flows. There are formidable macro-economic aggregates in terms of growth, trade, manufacturing and high technology. Asia has already become a powerhouse for the global economy. Its economic and political strength is being increasingly felt across the globe. The rise of Asian economic might - starting from Japan in early 60s to East Asia, China, in the present- has led to a new balance of global economic power. Countries of South and Central Asia are also orientated in the same direction.

4. Together with its human and material resources, its unique values as well as its contemporary achievements, Asia is poised to shape the Asia miracle. The 21^st century holds the promise of being the Asian century in a world of shared prosperity and durable peace.

5. However, we must also be realistic and recognize that the great continent of Asia is not free from grave problems. Conflicts, disputes, poverty, hunger and disease continue to undermine our efforts towards peace and prosperity. We are also confronted by the scourge of terrorism. In order to achieve the Asian miracle, we would have to overcome these dangers and challenges by cooperating not only amongst ourselves but also other regions of the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

6. Pakistan has been pursuing the path of peace and stability in its own region. We have done so through dialogue for peaceful settlement of disputes, exercise of strategic restraint and strengthening of regional cooperation. Our geo-political location is a positive contributing factor. We are a land-bridge linking Central Asia, South Asia and West Asia. We offer the shortest access to the sea for the Central Asian States and Western China. We are fast becoming the hub of cooperation for energy, trade and tourism. Pakistan is the only country that is a member of both the ECO and SAARC, and has Observer Status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Pakistan is also a leading member of the OIC.

7. We also attach high priority to promotion of relations with our neighbouring countries. We seek it on the basis of sovereign equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and peaceful resolution of disputes. We believe such an approach is essential to create a peaceful and secure environment in which to pursue economic development and eradication of poverty, illiteracy and disease.

Ladies and Gentleman,

8. Peace and Stability cannot be achieved in a vacuum. To attain these objectives partnerships are necessary. To build bridges of peace and to walk on the road to security and stability, our first partners are our neighbours

9. In recognition of this reality, the foremost and cardinal objective of Pakistan’s leadership has been the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes with India including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. This is imperative for the achievement of strategic stability in South Asia in particular and Asia in general and may I say the world at large.

10. With these objectives in view, our approach toward peace and development in South Asia includes: First, dialogue for settlement of all disputes in particular Kashmir; Second, Restraint and Security Balance in South Asia; and Third, cooperation for economic development of the region. To extricate our relations from the troubled past and to take them into a peaceful future, bold and visionary leadership is required from both the countries.

11. President Pervez Musharraf has shown the way by suggesting a flexible approach for resolution of all disputes including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. His proposals of demilitarization and self-governance of Kashmir manifest our sincere desire to constructively engage with India to find a peaceful and durable solution of the Kashmir issue. However, any solution of Kashmir must be in accordance with the aspirations and will of the Kashmiri people.

12. Two Rounds of ‘Composite Dialogue’ have been completed and the Third Round was initiated on January 17-18, 2006. The dialogue has simultaneously moved on two tracks i.e. Confidence Building and Dispute Resolution. While I am happy to state that there have been positive developments in Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), there is as yet little to report on Dispute Resolution since the dialogue process resumed in January 2004.

Ladies and Gentleman,

13. Pakistan values good friendly relations with Afghanistan. We share ties of faith and culture, history and heritage. The past four years have been very productive in Pak-Afghan relations. We exchanged eleven visits at Head of State and Government level. We signed twelve new agreements to strengthen the institutional underpinning of relations. Our bilateral trade rose to $1.2 billion last year. Pakistan is playing an active role in Afghan reconstruction. We have pledged $250 million for that purpose. We continue to host 2.6 million Afghan refugees.

14. Pakistan fully supports the government of President Hamid Karzai. We have direct stakes in the progress and stability of Afghanistan. We are happy at the successful completion of the Bonn Process. Afghanistan has today an enlightened constitution, an elected President and a Parliament. It has entered a new era. We have no doubt that the Afghanistan Compact launched in London early this year will carry forward this progress. We wish the Afghan people continued success.

Ladies and Gentleman,

15. Iran is our close neighbour. We would like to work with it to add greater content to bilateral relations and to promote peace and stability in the region. On the nuclear issue, we have clearly stated our support to a negotiated solution to Iran’s nuclear issue. We respect Iran’s right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy under IAEA safeguards. We believe Iran should consider measures for building international confidence in the peaceful nature of its programme. We oppose the use of force, which would aggravate the already troubled situation in the region. Pakistan believes that continued engagement would be critical in the efforts to find diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear issue.

16. With China, we have close cooperation and comprehensive partnership in political, economic and defence fields. We are strategic partners for the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

17. Pakistan maintains friendly and cooperative relations with major world powers including USA, EU, Japan, Russia, East Asia, Islamic world including Gulf States.

18. Despite several ups and downs, Pakistan’s relations with the United States have shown considerable resilience over time and since the 9/11 attacks, they are on an upward trajectory. The shared objective of eradicating global terrorism and promoting regional peace and security has added impetus to our bilateral relationship. Within this overall context, President Bush paid a visit to Pakistan on 3-4 March. We believe it constitutes an important milestone in Pakistan-U.S relations. A new dimension has been imparted to the bilateral relationship. The foundation for a strategic, strong, stable, broad-based and long-term relationship between Pakistan and the U.S has been strengthened. President Musharraf and President Bush affirmed a Pakistan-U.S “Strategic Partnership.” A Strategic Dialogue has been launched that would cover the entire range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. New institutional frameworks have been launched, including: Energy Cooperation, Economic Dialogue, Joint Committee on Science & Technology, High level dialogue on Education.

19. Pakistan has traditionally enjoyed friendly and cooperative relations with EU. We have wide-ranging interests in the EU which include seeking political support on issues of importance and concern to Pakistan including the Kashmir dispute, market access, procurement of defence equipment, transfer of technology and protecting Pakistani community’s interests both at the bilateral level and in the context of the European Union.

20. In April 2004, the European Parliament ratified the Third Generation Agreement which would institutionalize high-level cooperation with the EU on a number of important subjects of political, economic, technological and developmental significance.

21. The EU countries have vibrant Pakistani community of 1.5 million. The European Union is Pakistan’s largest trade partner. Our trade with EU amounts to $5.9 billion with a $1.3 billion surplus. The EU is also the largest source of direct foreign investment and development assistance to Pakistan. The Commission’s projects are directed mainly at the social sector, development and environmental sustainability. A number of European countries, particularly the UK, France and Italy have been providing military hardware and weapons system to Pakistan. Ten EU countries are members of the Pakistan Development Forum.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

22. Our desire to promote peace is also reflected in our adherence to the objective of nuclear non-proliferation. Even if Pakistan is not a party to the NPT, we adhere to the objective of non-proliferation and would like to work with the international community to promote this objective.

23. Let me reiterate that the Government of Pakistan has never and will never proliferate. Robust legislative and administration structures are in place and functioning to ensure non-proliferation from our territory.

24. Comprehensive national legislation entitled “Export Control on Goods, Technologies, Material and Equipment related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery System Act, 2004” was passed by the Parliament in September, 2004.

25. Pakistan formally established the National Command Authority (NCA) in 2000 headed by the President, which is responsible for policy formulation, and exercises control over the employment and deployment of strategic nuclear forces and strategic organizations.

26. Pakistan was not responsible for nuclear proliferation in South Asia. We were forced to respond in May 1998 to ensure credible deterrence. We remain committed to the doctrine of minimum credible deterrence and support nuclear stabilization and restraint in South Asia.

27. The reality of Pakistan’s nuclear capability has to be accepted. The IAEA Director General has on several occasions suggested such an approach. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, during his visit to Islamabad in March 2004, said that Pakistan, India and Israel needed to be taken out of nuclear netherworld.

28. The value of deterrence became clear when it averted a conflict following Indian deployment of a million troops on our borders in 2001-2002.

29. We believe the recent US-India Agreement on Civilian Nuclear Cooperation will have serious implications for security environment in South Asia. A package approach would have better served the objective of strategic stability and met the legitimate energy requirements of Pakistan and India. We will oppose any discriminatory treatment. Pakistan merits the support of the international community including the Nuclear Suppliers Group to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Germany, as a leading country in the NSG can play a very constructive role.

30. Given the scarcity of fossil fuel reserves, Pakistan needs to generate 8,800 megawatts of nuclear power by 2020 to cater to its growing energy needs. The present generation capacity of approximately 500 megawatts is far below the international average share of nuclear energy in the total energy output figures as well as Pakistan’s domestic energy needs.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

31. The problem of terrorism threatens the entire international community. No country is immune from this menace. Pakistan has long been its victim. We oppose terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We have been in the vanguard of the global campaign against it. Our role has been widely recognized.

32. In Iraq, it is sad to see the upsurge of violence despite some progress on the political front. Pakistan would like a speedy political transition, restoring peace to rebuild the country. We support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. We hope that the people of Iraq will be able to overcome these challenges. The international community must help restore stability and normalcy to Iraq.

33. The Palestinian problem continues to pose a major threat to international peace and security. It remains a source of extremism and terrorism. Resort to violence needs to end from all sides. Pakistan believes that a durable settlement can only be achieved by the attainment of a homeland by the Palestinian people. The international community should engage with the newly elected Palestinian leadership. The peace process should be kept on course. Pakistan supports the peace process in the Middle East, which must move forward despite changes of leadership. Peace in this region can only be possible when the Israelis and the Palestinians are able to live in their respective homelands within secure borders.

34. However, we believe that a lasting solution to the problem of terrorism requires addressing its root causes or at least the atmosphere which enables extremists to thrive. Terrorism stems from the denial of justice, deprivation and sense of humiliation. We must address these causes holistically. President Musharraf’s concept of ‘Enlightened Moderation’ offers a practical answer. It exhorts Muslim societies to reform and to reject extremism. It calls on the West to help resolve issues, which have caused frustration.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

35. Before I conclude, allow me to say few words on Pakistan-Germany relations. We, in Pakistan hold the German nation in a very high esteem. Since the establishment of our diplomatic ties in 1951, Pakistan and Germany have enjoyed very close relations. Germany has played an important role in Pakistan’s development. Pakistan draws comfort from the fact that due to its contribution in the Afghan war, the fruit of freedom are now being enjoyed by the entire Balkan region and the Central European states and indeed it made possible for East Germany to join its lost Western part. Since after 9/11 our two countries came further closer and our cooperation in diversified fields got new impetus. Our bilateral trade has been growing steadily and has much more potential to be exploited. We exchange views on all international issues of concern regularly and support each other internationally. German leaders at all level have appreciated Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism. The German government and people also extended generous help after the earthquake tragedy last year. We foresee long-term multifaceted bilateral relations between Germany and Pakistan.

Thank you very much.