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NEW YORK, Jan 18: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday urged the United States to help Pakistan meet its legitimate security needs and called for a robust and sustainable relationship between the two countries to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
He was addressing the joint session of Council on Foreign Relations and Asia Society on “Pakistan-US relations: Building a Strategic Partnership in the 21st Century.”
Mr Aziz said by working together the two sides could successfully realize the vision of a strategic partnership which served the interests of the two nations in meeting the future challenges.
In this regard he said Pakistan’s legitimate security needs must be met to build a long term relationship.
Even as the US and the European Union threaten sanctions against Iran, the prime minister urged them to resolved the crisis over Iranian nuclear programme peacefully.
Mr Aziz expressed hope that “this matter would be settled amicably without resort to use of force.”
“Towards this end a useful and constructive role can also be played by countries such as Russia and China,” he added.
Stressing that Pakistan is opposed to nuclear proliferation” Mr Aziz said: “We have played a responsible and moderating role with regard to Iran and will continue to do so.”
“As a member of the IAEA board of governors, Pakistan voted in favour of all resolutions that called on Iran to comply with its international obligations,” he pointed out.
KASHMIR ISSUE: The Prime Minister called on the United States to facilitate the dialogue process between India and Pakistan in order to resolve Kashmir issue “in a just and durable manner.”
Recalling that the Bush administration deems “US engagement with South Asia as a whole is a strategic imperative” and declared Pakistan as one of the most important partners and a “major Nato ally.”
He said that the “composite dialogue initiated by Pakistan and India encompasses all issues, including Kashmir.”
But he noted that although the CBMs have considerably improved the atmospherics, but the progress on substantive issues especially Kashmir has yet to be made.”
He stressed that progress on Kashmir must be in tandem with progress on all other issues. He said that meaningful progress towards a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir is essential for the eventual success of the process.”
“We are convinced that a solution can be found with determination, vision, flexibility and courage. Accordingly, we have made several proposals to India and we await their positive response”
Speaking about the proliferation challenges Mr Aziz said: “It is our conviction that Pakistan is a partner of the international community in anti-proliferation endeavours. Working together, Pakistan and the US can not only strengthen global efforts to curb the spread of weapons of mass destruction but also prevent destructive nuclear and missile arms races in south asia.”
On the war on terror, Mr Aziz said that alliance between the US and Pakistan remains critical to this objective. “Our counter terrorism strategy must have both short and long term focus. In the short term law enforcement, greater information and intelligence sharing and closer coordination between the intelligence agencies continue to be essential. “Yet, our actions must remain within the framework of law and fundamental freedoms.”
Saying that in the longer term terrorism cannot be defeated without addressing the root causes, Mr Aziz said that “the US can also help through targeted interventions in the economic arena to take the oxygen away from the extremists”
He observed the recommendations of the 9/11 commission that the US make a long-term commitment to engage with and support Pakistan was apt and timely. He said “the convergence of our interests on bilateral, regional and global issues provides a strong foundation for establishing a strategic partnership in the 21st century.
Earlier, the prime minister arrived here on a week’s visit to the US along with a 70-member delegation. After a four-day stay in New York, Mr Aziz will travel to Washington on Jan 22 where he will meet US President George Bush on Jan 24.
He was received at JFK airport by Ambassador of the US, Jehangir Karamat and Ambassador of Pakistan to the UN Munir Akram and other embassy and mission officials.
