Speech by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at the Heritage
Foundation in Washington DC
23 January, 2006 Pakistan
Anchor for Regional Peace and Security
Dr. Kim Holmes,
Vice President of the Heritage Foundation
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
I am privileged to speak at the Heritage Foundation,
one of the foremost institutions of academic excellence in the United
States. I am also honoured by the presence of such a distinguish audience
gathered here today.
I would like to begin by thanking the American people
and the Bush Administration for the generous material and financial help
for the 8 October earthquake relief. We are also grateful for their assistance
pledged for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected people
and areas.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The relationship between Pakistan and the United States
is unique in many ways. We have been partners for over half a century
– first against Soviet Communist expansionism and now against terrorism.
There have also been low points in our relations and Pakistan came under
sanctions. However, the historical experience shows that whenever we have
cooperated, it has served the interests of both nations and whenever our
relations came under a shadow, our interests have suffered. I will illustrate
this point with a recent example.
In the 1980s, we cooperated to resist the Soviet advance
in Afghanistan. As a result we helped the consolidation of freedom movements
in Eastern Europe and hastened the end of the cold war, bringing about
the momentous transformation of our time.
In the 1990s our relations came under stress and Afghanistan
suffered neglect. The consequences were disastrous. Afghanistan became
a haven for international terrorism .
The lesson is clear that Pakistan-US relations have a
strategic character. Pakistan is pivotal to a sensitive region where the
United States and the rest of the world have important interests at stake.
The stability of the region demands a positive and constructive long term
relationship between our two countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am confident that my visit to the United States and
the forthcoming visit by President Bush to Pakistan shortly shall take
our relationship to a higher plane. The foundation of this relationship
continues to be our shared strategic objectives which have taken on even
greater significance in the evolving international situation. Pakistan’s
position as a traditional friend and ally of the United States has enlarged
with its growing role in the region.
Today, we are jointly committed to a secure and stable
world order based on freedom, justice and equity. We are allied in the
war against terror while working together for the promotion of interfaith
harmony and understanding. We are committed to seeking an end to poverty
and the promotion of socio-economic development across the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Pakistan of today and tomorrow is not the Pakistan
of yesterday. The Pakistan of today is a strong and vibrant nation of
hundred and fifty million people. We are committed to a democratic, moderate,
tolerant, progressive Islamic polity. Our country is richly endowed with
human and natural resources. It is strategically located at the cross-roads
of three vital regions of the world – South Asia, Central Asia and
West Asia. We seek friendship and cooperation with the international community
and especially with our neighbours. We are a responsible nuclear power
and a factor for stability in our region. For these reasons, Pakistan
is today an anchor for regional peace and security. This is the topic
of my presentation before you today.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We did not inherit this position and promising situation.
On the contrary, our government has worked strenuously over the past six
years to reform, revitalize and reposition the country in order to meet
the challenges before us as well as to benefit from the opportunities.
Our objectives have been clear – to ensure peace, stability and
progress for our people. To achieve these objectives, we have worked assiduously
for peace within our borders and peace beyond our borders.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have pursued a comprehensive and carefully calibrated
policy for national reform and revival based on six broad elements which
I believe are the essential ingredients of successful state craft. These
elements are:
One: Economic sovereignty.
Two: Stable political process.
Three: Good governance.
Four: Internal security.
Five: Credible defence.
Six: Effective diplomacy.
Determined and sustained implementation of these elements
of state craft have ensured a dramatic transformation in Pakistan over
the last half decade. We have been able to reform, restructure and revive
our economy; ensure the devolution of power to the grass-roots level;
provide transparent and responsible governance including a vibrant opposition
and a free media; ensure security and stability through enforcement of
the rule of law; empower women and minorities and improve the delivery
of social sector services, especially education and health.
In the economic field, we have based our reforms on the
principles of deregulation, liberalization and privatization. As a result
of these efforts, Pakistan is today on a high growth trajectory. We have
achieved a growth rate of 8.4 per cent, second only to China in Asia.
Our agricultural, industrial and services sectors are growing rapidly.
Foreign exchange reserves are at an all time high. Growth of the economy
is attracting unprecedented levels of domestic and foreign investment.
Exports are steadily increasing and diversifying into new and more areas.
To sustain this momentum, we are now implementing a second generation
of broad ranging structural reforms, especially in the areas of institution
building, infrastructure development and investment in human capital.
At the same time, we are proceeding with the consolidation
of our democratic institutions. The second local bodies elections were
held in August last year. These will be followed by provincial and national
level elections in 2007. We are confident that with unflinching commitment
to the democratic process, we shall be able to live up to the hopes and
aspirations of our people.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The progress we have been making within Pakistan has
required an enabling external environment. To ensure such an environment
it has been necessary to create an architecture for peace, stability and
progress to facilitate regional cooperation and development. This architecture
is based on four pillars. These are:
One: Dialogue for peaceful settlement of existing disputes
and mechanisms to resolve issues on bilateral and multilateral basis.
Two: Strategic restraint and avoidance of an arms race
in the region.
Three: Strengthening of regional cooperation, especially
trade, investment and people to people contacts.
Four: Enhancing cooperation between the different sub-regions
of Asia which will enhance security and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The pursuit of our external relations in accordance with
this architecture has already paid some rich dividends. But this still
work in progress and much remains to be done. We are confident that this
policy will enhance Pakistan’s capacity to be an anchor for peace
and security in the region. Our domestic achievements as well as our unique
geo-political location provide us with excellent credentials for such
a role.
Pakistan’s location at the hub of Central Asia,
South Asia and West Asia, ensures multiple advantages. It provides the
shortest access to the sea for all the landlocked countries of Central
Asia as well as western China. It is also fast emerging as the bridgehead
for multiple corridors of cooperation between all three regions involving
energy, trade, transportation, tourism.
Our role as the junction for promoting intra-regional
cooperation is underscored by the fact that Pakistan is the only country
which is a member of both the Economic Cooperation Organization of Central
Asian States and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
Moreover, we have only recently joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
as an Observer while moving towards a full dialogue partnership with ASEAN.
As a leading founding member of the Organization of Islamic Countries,
Pakistan also plays a pre-eminent role among Muslim and Arab nations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Having placed before you Pakistan’s positive regional
role in its strategic context, I would like to highlight our specific
policies which we believe are contributing towards regional peace and
security.
Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979
and the subsequent Afghan civil war, Pakistan has been confronted with
the influx of more than three million Afghan refugees, the infusion of
drugs and weapons as well as incursions by extremists and terrorists.
This was a time when the international community and
especially the west abandoned Afghanistan and only reversed this policy
after the events of September 11, 2001.
Thereafter, Pakistan has fully supported the international
war on terrorism within and beyond Afghanistan and has deployed more than
80,000 troops on our common border, leading to the elimination or apprehension
of several hundred terrorists which has broken the back of the Al-Qaida.
At the same time we have contributed significantly to efforts for reconstruction
and rehabilitation in the country apart from assisting in the Afghan electoral
process.
Afghanistan is a country with which we share ties of
religion, history, culture and language. We fully support the Government
of President Karzai and we have acted as a reliable and responsible neighbour.
We have provided unrestricted transit access to this landlocked country,
invested heavily in the Afghan economy and are helping to re-build their
infrastructure. Our trade has gone over a billion dollars and is growing.
Our relations with Iran are guided by the compulsions of geography and
history. We would like to work with Iran for peace and stability in the
region and would welcome Iran’s role as a responsible player to
this end. As regards, Iranian nuclear policy, Pakistan has clearly stated
its opposition to nuclear weapons proliferation but we accept Iran’s
right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate IAEA
safeguards. We have consistently advised Iran to address this issue through
dialogue with the EU Troika. We also believe that countries such as Russia
and China could play a constructive role to resolve this issue. AT the
same time we oppose any resort to the use of force as this would aggravate
the already troubled situation in the region.
The elections in Iraq are a hopeful development for the
return of peace and normalcy in that country. However, the spiraling spate
of violence in Iraq is a worrisome and dangerous development. Pakistan
would like to see a speedy political transition in Iraq which would restore
peace and ensure reconstruction of the country. Pakistan shall continue
to fully support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and
we hope that the Iraqi people shall be able to overcome the challenges
before them. The international community ought to work together for a
practical approach that can bring political stability and normalcy to
Iraq.
In our view the Palestinian problem continues to pose
a major threat to international peace and security and remains a source
of extremism and terrorism in all its manifestations. Resort to violence
needs to end from all sides. We also believe that a durable settlement
of this issue can only be achieved by the attainment of a homeland by
the Palestinian people. Pakistan has extended full support and cooperation
to President Mehmud Abbas and we believe that the international community,
especially the major powers, must make every effort to help resolve this
problem which continues to spawn violence and cause immense human suffering.
We have also opened a dialogue with Israel, recognizing
the constructive steps it has taken. This process needs to move forward
despite any changes of leadership as peace in this region can only be
possible when the Israelis and the Palestinians can live in their respective
homelands within secure borders.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Kashmir dispute has remained at the heart of the
tensions between Pakistan and India ever since our independence in 1947.
For us, this is not just an issue of territory but of principle –
the democratic principle of self-determination which is the inalienable
right of the Kashmiri people.
We have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to a dialogue
process with India for the peaceful settlement of all outstanding issues
including the Kashmir dispute. As a result of our sustained efforts this
process was resumed in January 2004 and has contributed towards an appreciable
improvement in the atmosphere of our relations with India. We believe
that following the meeting between President Pervez Musharraf and Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during April last year, the bilateral dialogue
process has become irreversible. Nothing should be allowed to derail this
engagement. We have also agreed on several confidence building measures
and people to people contacts.
The improved relations between Pakistan and India and
the congenial international environment provide a unique opportunity for
our two countries to work for a solution of the Kashmir dispute that respects
the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. We, therefore, emphasize the need
to involve the Kashmiri people with the dialogue process. We have suggested
ideas of self governance and demilitarization that resonate with the views
of Kashmiri leaders and intellectuals. The attainment of a final settlement
shall require a solution which is acceptable to all three stakeholders
– Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris. For this, all sides will need
to demonstrate courage, determination, sincerity, flexibility and above
all passion.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Pakistan’s nuclear capability must be viewed in
the context of India’s pursuit of the nuclear option and our security
concerns. Pakistan does not seek regional domination or great power status.
We do not threaten any country and wish to live in peace. Our strategic
capabilities have been developed in self-defence following the Indian
nuclear test of 1974 that disrupted the security balance providing a nuclear
edge to India’s already existing numerical advantage in conventional
weapons over Pakistan. The nuclear tests by India in 1998 obliged Pakistan
to respond in order to establish credible nuclear deterrence. Failure
to do so could have created a dangerous ambiguity about our capacity and
led to possible miscalculation. The establishment of deterrence was important
as became clear when it prevented a conflict following Indian deployment
of more than a million troops on our borders in 2001-2002.
As a nuclear weapon state, we adhere to a doctrine of
minimum credible deterrence and are opposed to any nuclear proliferation
as well as arms race in the region. Accordingly, we have proposed a Strategic
Restraint Regime to India. We also believe that the induction of anti
ballistic missile systems would have a destabilizing impact on the entire
region.
Pakistan is also committed to the prevention of nuclear
proliferation and has developed a strong command and control structure
to protect our strategic assets as well as effective export controls to
ensure against nuclear leakage.
However, we believe that no restrictions should be imposed
on peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate safeguards. As a
fossil fuel deficit country, we need to develop nuclear power generation
to meet the growing needs for energy required for our expanding economy.
We are prepared to accept all safeguards for our civilian nuclear power
sector.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The problem of terrorism threatens the entire international
community. No country is immune from this menace. Pakistan has for long
been a victim of terrorism. We oppose terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Pakistan has been in the front and center of the global war on terrorism
and our key role is fully recognized. Our commitment to counter terrorism
is unwavering the despite costs and risks. Both President Musharraf and
I have been targets of terrorists.
While we remain steadfast in our opposition to terrorism,
we are convinced that a lasting solution to this problem requires elimination
of its root causes. We believe that terrorism stems from the denial of
justice, from deprivation and deep sense of humiliation. We must address
the problem of terrorism holistically and not just focus on one aspect
while ignoring the others.
We must also challenge the false notion of a clash between
Islam and the western civilization. Moreover, we must reject the pernicious
attempts to associate terrorism with the Islamic faith. Islam is a religion
of peace, tolerance, compassion and forbearance which preaches inter-faith
understanding.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is in keeping with the true letter and spirit of the
Islamic faith that President Pervez Musharraf has presented the concept
of “Enlightened Moderation”, to promote inter-civilizational
harmony instead of a clash of civilizations. This concept exhorts Muslim
societies to reform and reject extremism. At the same time, it calls upon
the west to facilitate resolution of issues that have caused anger and
frustration among Muslims. Enlightened Moderation aims, therefore, to
win hearts and minds which will ensure a permanent victory for peace and
tolerance over extremism and violence. More than ever before, we need
to work for inter-faith harmony and understanding.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With the rapidly changing international environment as
a result of globalization, geo-politics is being replaced by geo-economics.
Economic considerations are taking precedence over political calculations.
Creating economic interdependencies that ensure a win-win situation for
all parties are the basis for the promotion of peace and security at bilateral,
regional and global levels.
Accordingly, Pakistan has been moving towards promoting
mutually beneficial economic linkages across the world and especially
in its neighbourhood. It is playing a key role in the South Asian Association
for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as well as in the Economic Cooperation
Organization Trade Agreement (ECOTA) between the central Asian countries.
It has recently become an Observer in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO). Pakistan has also been pursuing a vision East-Asia policy by joining
the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, signing the treaty of Amity and Cooperation
with South East Asia as well as seeking to attain full dialogue partnership
with ASEAN.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Pakistan’s capacity to play an effective role towards
promoting regional peace and security has been enhanced by the close relations
that it maintains with the major world powers.
China and Pakistan have maintained extremely close and
friendly relations for decades and are strategic partners for the maintenance
of peace and stability in the region. Recently, the two countries signed
an agreement on Friendship and Cooperation which shall not only enhance
bilateral relations in all fields but will also be a factor for greater
regional cooperation.
Pakistan’s relations with the European Union, as
well as Russia, Britain, France and Japan are steadily growing. Apart
from security cooperation, we are developing strong economic and trade
relationships as well as building linkages in the educational, technological
and scientific spheres.
The United States, as I said at the outset, is our friend
and ally. We have been partners since the Cold War. Pakistan played a
key role in the American opening towards China, which tilted the balance
of power in Washington’s favour against Moscow. Our cooperation
was pivotal for the retreat of the Soviet Union from Afghanistan which
contributed to the collapse of the Soviet empire and the triumph of freedom
and democracy in the world. History also demonstrates that whenever our
relations have declined, both countries have suffered as they did when
the US sanctioned Pakistan and abandoned it to deal with the aftermath
of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, which eventually led to the
events of 9/11.
Today we are partners in the war on terror as well as
in the efforts to build a more peaceful, secure and stable world order.
Our strategic interests now converge on a wider spectrum of bilateral,
regional and global issues. As the anchor for regional peace and security,
Pakistan is a pivotal country for the pursuit of our shared interests
in promoting peace, security and development in our region and the world.
. If we are to meet the challenges before us today and benefit from the
opportunities, then Pakistan can make the vital difference for our success.
Thank you.
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