Islamabad has valid concern: Broad-based govt in Kabul must: Blair
By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday made a firm commitment to address Pakistan’s political concerns in the post-Taliban setup in Kabul and to extend all possible cooperation to solve Islamabad’s economic problems.
“If the current Taliban regime fails to yield up Osama bin Laden and his associates then it must fall, and its successors must be a broad-based government with every key ethnic group, including Pushtoon, represented in it,” Mr Blair told reporters at a joint press conference with President Pervez Musharraf.
The prime minister appreciated Pakistan’s political interests in Afghanistan, saying Islamabad had valid interests and close involvement in any future arrangement in Kabul.
Mr Blair, who arrived here from Moscow, stressed the inclusion of Pushtoons, a dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan, in the proposed broad-based government was extremely important.
He said that if the Taliban failed to hand over Osama and his associates then they would be considered the people shielding terrorists and a legitimate enemy.
Terming the evidence against Osama “overwhelming” and “compelling”, he said there was no serious doubt about Osama’s involvement in terrorist attacks.
The action being contemplated against Osama, he clarified, was not directed against Islam.
“Islam is a religion of peace,” he said, adding that the Muslims around the globe were appalled by the Sept 11 incidents. “It was a crime against humanity,” he said, referring to the Holy Quran.
Britain, Mr Blair said, would restore defence cooperation with Pakistan and also help in working out a new IMF programme. Pakistan, he noted, had already successfully completed first phase of its IMF programme.
“In addition, we will support strongly the trade cooperation agreement with the European Union due to be finalized on Monday,” he said, adding they would also help Islamabad in issues like debt in the context of the new IMF package.
“We and other countries will provide the necessary resources to help Pakistan cope with the refugee problem,” he said, announcing a $40 million relief package for Afghan refugees and another $15 million for the host country for supporting refugees.
In reply to a question about the looming military action, the premier said he could not give details about that. However, he said, what was important for them was that it should be proportionate, targeted and not directed against the innocent people but to punish those who were behind the Sept 11 incidents.
He said the purpose of the military action was not to take revenge but to do justice and to see those supporting terrorism were deterred.
As regards the response to terror attacks, he said the United States had behaved very responsibly and did not take any action in haste.
Lauding the stand taken by President Musharraf to join international coalition against terrorism, Mr Blair said Pakistan had made the right decision, adding “the result would be significant and long lasting in strengthening outside world’s relations with Pakistan.”
“In Britain we will play our part and would not walk away, and neither will be the others,” he said.
Tracing the history of the relations between the people of two countries, he said: “Now is the time to use our past and present friendship to help resolve the current crisis in the interest of people of not only this region but the whole world.”
MUSHARRAF: President Musharraf in his brief remarks said the focus of their two-hour discussion remained on Afghanistan.
He said his government was convinced that there was evidence showing a link between the terrorist acts and Osama.
“However, we are not standing here in judgment on the details of the evidence,” he said.
The president thanked the British prime minister for understanding Pakistan’s problem.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Abdus Sattar received the British premier at the Islamabad International Airport from where he was taken straight to the Chief Executive’s Secretariat amidst high security.
Mr Blair left Islamabad at around 8.30pm for New Delhi where he would stay overnight and hold talks with the Indian prime minister on Saturday.
AFP ADDS: Mr Blair congratulated President Musharraf on his promise to restore democracy next year.
“I welcome the roadmap for democracy announced by the president on the 14th of August. That is the right path,” Mr Blair said.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday made a firm commitment to address Pakistan’s political concerns in the post-Taliban setup in Kabul and to extend all possible cooperation to solve Islamabad’s economic problems.
