30 September 2004	Thursday	14 Shaban 1425

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ROME, Sept 29: President Pervez Musharraf and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi firmly opposed any addition in the number of permanent members on the United Nations Security Council in talks here on Wednesday.

A joint statement released after the talks at Mr Berlusconi's Rome office said that although reform of the Security Council was necessary, it should not entail an addition in the number of permanent seats.

The issue is important to both countries, each being faced with powerful neighbours which are pushing hard for permanent status on the UN council. Italy has cast anxious glances at Germany's quest for a permanent seat on the council, while India's lobbying for a position at the top table has alarmed Pakistan. Japan and Brazil are the other countries seeking permanent seats.

President Musharraf and the Italian prime minister held wide-ranging talks on bilateral matters and regional and international issues of mutual concern. In their remarks after the meeting, they expressed satisfaction over bilateral ties and pledged to explore ways of further enhancing their relations, especially in trade and economic fields.

President Musharraf described the talks as 'wonderful interaction' which was held in most cordial and frank manner. "We covered all bilateral issues relating to political understanding and mutually beneficial economic and commercial relations," he said.

The Italian prime minister reciprocated the sentiments, saying the two sides had complete 'consonance' of views on all subjects. He praised President Musharraf for his initiatives in fighting the twin menace of terrorism and extremism and for peace in the region.

Speaking on behalf of European Union countries, Mr Berlusconi appreciated Gen Musharraf for his moderate policies in the region. He expressed the hope that the two countries would come closer in the days ahead and their bilateral ties would be further strengthened.

According to official sources, the two sides exchanged views on fight against terrorism, Pakistan-India dialogue, reconstruction in Afghanistan, the proposed expansion of the UN Security Council, etc.

After the talks, Pakistan and Italy signed agreements on fight against drug trafficking and cooperation in tourism. The two leaders emphasized the need of expanding the volume of trade volume between the two countries that currently stands at $700 million. President Musharraf extended an invitation to Mr Berlusconi to Pakistan. The Italian prime minister accepted the invitation.

ADDRESS TO EDITORS: Later, talking to editors of major Italian newspapers, President Musharraf dismissed as absolutely wrong a report expressing concern over the state of human rights in Pakistan. He said people in the country had been empowered at grass-roots level and they enjoyed democratic rights, including an unprecedented freedom of expression.

"Pakistan's human rights record is in many ways better than many developed states and the negative reports are out of tune with ground realities in the country," he said, rejecting a US State Department report.

He said that human rights essentially meant empowerment of people and informed them that the local government system, an open media policy and political reforms had empowered women, minorities and electronic channels like never before.

On the freedom of media, he said both the newspapers and TV channels were free to express a diversity of views and elected representatives were free to criticize his policies.

He said until recently Pakistan had just one state TV channel but as a result of open media policy, the nation now had a choice of a dozen private channels operating without any interference.

The president said the government was tackling the child labour problem but called upon the developed countries to have a better understanding of the reality of Pakistan's conditions as a child might be working to feed his poor family, having no other bread-winner. "But, despite facing constraints, we are making efforts to afford an economic alternative for the poor family, we are also carrying out various programmes to reduce poverty."

Answering a question, he said Pakistan was engaged in a fight against terrorism and was not after one man (Osama bin Laden) and would undertake action against all terror suspects and high-value targets.

However, he said, the war against terror should focus on strategic long-term objective of addressing its root causes, political disputes, poverty and illiteracy. In response to another question, Gen Musharraf said he had not yet decided about his office of the army chief but was concerned about sustainability and continuity of policies being pursued in the interest of Pakistan.

The president also spoke about the government's efforts to streamlining education system in seminaries, Pakistan's commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan-India dialogue. -Agencies