Canadian assistance sought for talks: Musharraf-Chretien talks
OTTAWA, Sept 26: President Pervez Musharraf asked Canada to help persuade India to resume talks to try to solve the two nuclear-armed nations’ dispute over Kashmir.
At a state dinner, hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Mr Musharraf said: “We stand ready to revive dialogue with India (over Kashmir) through a sustained process of negotiations.
“Unfortunately, we are denied the very forum of dialogue.”
He said the dispute in region had attained dangerous proportions and only their solution would guarantee peace and harmony.
The president highly appreciated that Canada had been providing financial assistance and expertise to Pakistan since Independence which greatly contributed to the economic development of Pakistan.
Warsak dam, Karachi Nuclear Power Plant and Maple Leaf cement were a few examples, he said.
Canada, he said, had also taken a steadfast and principled stand to promote world peace and harmony.
Similarly, he said, Canada’s role in peacekeeping was commendable and it had always lent unwavering support to the United Nations in the need of hour.
On Afghanistan, he said Pakistan stood for peace and security, adding President Hamid Karzai had been working towards Afghan’s unity.
He said the government had empowered women in Pakistan. At present, he said, 46000 women were doing jobs at various tiers. Besides, he said, 72 women were members of the National Assembly.
On nuclear front, he said Pakistan would never proliferate and nor would it allow nuclear weapons to go in wrong hands.
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien said his country had been maintaining good ties with Pakistan since 1951 and assisted Pakistan financially and provided expertise. The most important element for the development of a country had always been sustainable democracy and economic weapon.
He said that situation between India and Pakistan continued to be tense. Canada, he said, had always been looking for a lasting solution to peace in that region.
He said Pakistan had won world acclaim for its fight against terrorism. “It needs to do more. Canada has contributed its peacekeepers in Afghanistan. Similarly, Pakistan has provided peacekeepers to Sierra Leone, which is an appreciable decision.”
He appreciated President Musharraf for his contribution to various fields at national and international levels.
OFFICIAL TALKS: Pakistan and Canada held official talks on Friday morning and discussed a whole range of issues of mutual interest for further enhancing their cooperation in various fields.
President Gen Pervez Musharraf led Pakistan at talks with the hosts being led by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
During the talks, that lasted for one hour, the two sides focused on broadening bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade and investment.
The two sides recognized the need to further deepen the bilateral relationship to the mutual benefit of both countries.
President Musharraf raised strongly the issue of recent arrest of 18 Pakistani students with the Canadian leader.
The Canadian prime minister assured the president that he would look into the matter of Pakistani students at the earliest and said the students would be released. President Musharraf was assisted by Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed at the talks.—AFP/PPI/ APP
