ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: Pakistan's recognition of Israel is conditional on the resolution of the Palestine problem as Islamabad is committed to the two state solution in which both the Palestinians and the Israelis could live in peace with each other
, said Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri here on Monday.
Addressing a joint press conference with Palestinian Foreign Minister Farouk Qaddoumi, Mr Kasuri said during their talks the current situation in the Middle East and the problems encountered in the implementation of the Quartet's Middle East Road Map were discussed.
"I have reiterated Pakistan's support to the Abdullah peace plan and the Quartet Road Map, only full and sincere implementation of which can lead to the resolution of the problem," Mr Kasuri said.
During the talks, Mr Kasuri said, the foreign minister of Palestine highlighted the Israeli policies that prevent the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 which causes sufferings and denies the basic rights of the Palestinian people.
"I reiterated Pakistan's unequivocal support to the Palestinian cause, the fundamental elements of which remain Israel's withdrawal from the occupied countries and restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people including their right to self-determination leading to an independent, viable and a sovereign homeland," Mr Kasuri said.
In response to a question about talks on the recognition of Israel, the foreign minister said, "What president Musharraf and the government had done earlier was to say that there can be a discussion in the newspaper columns."
Vowing to continue the struggle, the Palestinian foreign minister said, "Be assured that the Palestinians would continue their resistance until the state of Palestine is established in order for all of us to pray in Al-Aqsa."
Answering a question about the American role in the resolution of the Palestine problem, Mr Qaddoumi said the US initiated the Road Map and the National Authority accepted it.
"We hope the Americans will activate their role to push the peace process." Mr Qaddoumi said the Americans were busy in their elections and in Iraq, but the four members of the Quartet committee, and the UN, the European countries and Russia should activate the Road Map "because Sharon is doing his best to kill the peace process in this area."
In response to a question that PLO at one time was considered a terrorist organisation and how he differentiated between the freedom fighters and terrorists, Mr Qaddoumi said the liberation movements are not considered terrorism. "But unfortunately it is one country, the United States, always labelling some freedom fighters as terrorists and we do not accept all these labels to the freedom fighters," he said.
Talking about state terrorism at the same time, Mr Qaddoumi said Israel is a rogue and terrorist country which is killing Palestinians. About the construction of the wall by Israel, Mr Qaddoumi said the problem of segregation had been brought before the International Court of Justice.
He said Palestinians were certain that the International Court would come up with an opinion in favour of the Palestinians. He said the wall being erected by Israel was a segregation wall, it hindered the peace process and would kill the peace process.
About peace process in South Asia, Mr Qaddoumi said Palestinians supported the dialogue and peace process between Pakistan and India and hoped that peace would come to Jammu and Kashmir.
Appreciating the support of Pakistan for the establishment of the state of Palestine in accordance with the accepted Road Map, Mr Qaddoumi said it was necessary to see to it that peace comes to the region so that its people are enabled to solve all the problems and the conflicts that exist between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
