KARACHI: War on Iraq to unleash catastrophe in region: Rasheed warns...
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, Feb 19: The ongoing Iraq crisis would enter the decisive phase by the mid-March with far reaching bearing, especially on the Muslim world.
This was observed by the Federal Information Minister, Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed, during ‘Meet the Press’ programme of Karachi Press Club on Wednesday.
During his encounter with the press, Shaikh Rasheed answered questions regarding the Iraq crisis and Pakistan’s options, escalating tension between Pakistan and India and matters pertaining to the media.
“In view of the deployment of forces in the region, I believe, as a politician, the Iraq dilemma will enter the decisive phase, either way, between March 10 and 15,” said the minister.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stated position against the use of military force to deal with the situation, he stressed that Islamabad would act in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and taking interests of the people of Pakistan into consideration.
He referred to President Musharraf’s conversation with the US President, George W. Bush, and others in this regard and underlined the need for paying heed to growing anti-war feeling around the world.
However, when he was specifically asked whether Pakistan would commit troops in the war against Iraq if ordained by the new Security Council resolution, the minister was evasive and said: “why do you presume only in negative terms?”
He said that Pakistan opposed war and believed that such an option must be avoided at all costs. He pointed out that neither the UN weapons inspectors had given any statement nor any other evidences were there to prove Iraq guilty of the laid down charges.
The real problem, he said, was the aftermath of the crisis which would bring about horrible changes for the people, especially of the region, to face. Owing to perceived dangerous consequences, Pakistan was of the view that the inspectors should be given more time to verify the charges, and that a war should be avoided.
The minister hoped that the UN resolution would contain more positive elements and provide opportunity to the world to save itself from a catastrophe and people of Iraq in particular to avoid getting into a situation worse than in 1917, 1926 or 1927.
In the context of Saudi Arabia’s refusal to allow the Americans use its bases in war against Iraq, when the information minister was asked whether Pakistan had been asked for such facilities, he replied, “nobody has asked us for that.”
In the backdrop of a free hand given to the FBI operatives in Pakistan and the presence of American base at Jacobabad under the cover of staging post for the allied forces operating inside Afghanistan, when his attention was draw to the possibility of the use of Shahbaz Air Base in the face of a conflict without the host country’s permission, the minister said these facilities had been provided for monitoring and rescue work linked with the Afghanistan operations.
To a question about Iraq seeking any assistance from Pakistan, the minister replied that he was not aware of any such request.
About fears that Pakistan may be the next target, Shaikh Rasheed made a categorical statement: “We are neither Iraq nor Afghanistan. We are Pakistan and we know how to defend the motherland.”
Responding to a reporter’s question, he said that with the passage of time, it was being proved that Pakistan’s policy vis-a- viz Afghanistan was appropriate.
Commenting on the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s call for the ‘million march’ aimed at demonstrating Pakistanis’ feelings against war on Iraq, Shaikh Rasheed said that the MMA was very much responsible and aware of the interests and constraints of Pakistan. “Taking out rallies is their democratic right,” he said adding: “I hoped the MMA, which is in favour of allowing democratic dispensation to succeed, will keep the larger interest into consideration.”
Replying to another question, he said that whenever the OIC meeting would be convened, Pakistan would play its due role because it was committed to safeguarding the interests of the Ummah. He said that the forthcoming meeting of the Non- aligned Movement (NAM), where Pakistan would be represented by the president, would also be a significant conference. The Malaysian prime minister, he added, would be convening a moot to discuss the situation arising out of the Iraq crisis.
TIES WITH INDIA: The federal minister faced a flurry of questions about Pakistan’s fast deteriorating relations with India amid the latter’s allegations of cross-border infiltrations and the action against Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi. Shaikh Rasheed termed New Delhi’s allegations ‘most non- sense.” He favoured the tit-for-tat response by Pakistan saying: “Had we not given our response in the same manner, this would have given a wrong message.” At the same time, he repeated Pakistan’s offer for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the core issue of Kashmir.
“We want good relations with India which should come to the negotiating table to sort out all the problems, including that of Kashmir,” said the minister.
However, the minister evaded response to question about the implementation of the Wage Board Award for the newspaper industry. The question was raised by the KPC President, Sabihuddin Ghousi, in his welcome address.
Appearing helpless to get the Award implemented, the minister offered journalists all possible facilities if they wanted to establish their own TV or radio channel or bring out their own newspaper.
