Recognition of Israel Not on the Cards: Musharraf

PARIS: President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday categorically stated that recognition of Israel by Pakistan is neither on the cards nor is such an eventuality likely to take place in the near future.

He said this could only be possible after developing a national consensus, adding that what he said was that in the light of possible rapprochement between Israel and Palestine, "we would review ground realities and then decide to take any further action". The president said the US-backed 'roadmap' was in the process of implementation. "We are monitoring all developments, taking place in that region," he added.

The president said Pakistan has been asked to send two Army brigades to Iraq to participate in the reconstruction of the war-torn country. "Now we have to decide certain modalities before our troops can be despatched to Baghdad," he added.

Musharraf termed discussions with his French counterpart, President Jacques Chirac, "excellent", saying that he wished he could use a better expression. "During the detailed discussion, there was complete unanimity of views between the two sides," he said and added that talks were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

After his meeting with President Chirac that was scheduled to be 40-minute long but lasted for well over 150 minutes, the president made a brief statement before media and answered a few questions.

The president told a questioner that besides a wide range of international, regional and bilateral matters, including Afghanistan, the Middle East, Iraq, measures taken against international terrorism, the economic issues, he also discussed defence matters with President Chirac. However, he did not identify, which defence-related issues were taken up.

On the Indo-Pak relations, the president said he explained Pakistan's point of view to President Chirac and requested him to pass them on to the Indian National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, who would be visiting France in the next few days, "so that the Indians could understand our position".

During talks at the Elysee Palace President Pervez Musharraf also extended an invitation to President Jacques Chirac to undertake an official visit to Pakistan, France accepted the invitation.

As President Musharraf and his French counterpart alighted from the main corridors of Elysee Palace, their body language was a clear indicator that they had useful negotiations. Both the leaders shook hands thrice and, while holding hands, exchanged deep smiles.

Diplomatic circles here confided to The News that Pakistan had asked France for sale of Euro fighter aircraft. This aircraft has greater capabilities than the F-16 and was displayed at an air show in France some two weeks back.

Earlier, Musharraf arrived here on Wednesday on the last leg of his four-nation trip that took him to the United States, Britain, Germany. His three-day Paris visit is being regarded here as most important because France is one country after the United States with which Islamabad has strong defence cooperation.

It may be added that Pakistan hopes that having faced sanctions on defence purchases, the French leadership will review its policy and may agree to supply much-needed weapons of defensive nature to Pakistan.

The hope has been generated after German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder decided to lift sanctions on supply of spare parts to Pakistan Air Force's radar system. The argument offered by Musharraf was that Pakistan was willing to buy only such items that could be used for strengthening of country's defence system.

The president arrived here at the Orly Airport on a chartered flight from Berlin that landed at 11 local time. He was received by French Commerce Minister Francois Loss, French Ambassador to Pakistan Yannic K Gerard and Pakistan's Ambassador to France besides high-ranking civil and military officials.

From the airport, he was driven straight to Hotel Crillon. Soon after the delegation was lodged, President Musharraf left the hotel for Elysee Palace for talks with the French president. APP adds: President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said major western countries can help in nuclear non-proliferation of South Asia by ensuring conventional military balance between Pakistan and India.

He was talking to French senators at a meeting with Foreign Relations Committee chaired by its chairman here late on Tuesday. Briefing reporters Secretary Information and Broadcasting Syed Anwar Mahmood said that the president gave a detailed briefing to senators on situation in South Asia, Afghanistan, and democratic transition in the country.

Questioned by a senator on nuclearisation in South Asia, President Musharraf said that the developed countries particularly the UK and France could help maintain balance in conventional weapons between the two neighbours in South Asia. Pakistan had already offered de-nuclearisation of South Asia, he said.

He gave them a detailed briefing on Pakistan-Indian relations and said that no attempt should be made to sideline core issue of Kashmir if dialogue process had to be initiated and progressed forward.

On Afghanistan, President Musharraf emphasised the need to create ethnic balance and that International Security Assistance Force should remain there and fill in vacuum outside Kabul. Once they stabilised the position in Kabul then an exit strategy could be worked out. Senators appreciated President Musharraf's detailed briefing to them on these issues.

On democratic transition in Pakistan, President Musharraf made special mention of the European Union to appreciate a situation in which democracy had to operate. He dwelt at length on the background why democracy got derailed in Pakistan. He said that was the reason that checks and balances were required for ensuring a sustained working of democracy.

He gave examples of the US, the UK and France where democracy was operating in a different way while keeping in view their own conditions.