REMARKS BY H.E. JEHANGIR KARAMAT, AMBASSADOR OF PAKISTAN
AT THE
KASHMIR SOLIDARITY DAY EVENT
2-15-06
Ladies and gentlemen:
I would like to start by thanking PALC and the Rising
Leaders for organizing the function today. It is very well organized and
we are very grateful to them for doing this. I would particularly like
to thank Aisha, Sadia and Nadia, who worked so hard to put up these photographs,
these are excellent selection of photos.
So, we are very grateful to them.
It has almost been four months since the earthquake disaster
struck Kashmir, and of course, you can see from the pictures and what
has been said today, how much destruction it has caused and how many people
were killed, and many millions were uprooted in one way or the other.
There has been an enormous loss which we have suffered because of this
earthquake.
It has been said, and I would like to repeat the fact
that the Pakistanis poured out their hearts, emptied their purses for
their Kashmiri brethren. It did not come as a surprise. We have only to
look at the many decades of affinity between the peoples of Kashmir and
Pakistan to understand the kind of feelings that exist for Kashmir, and
the steadfast support that has been there for the Kashmiri people and
the admiration that exists for their heroic struggle for Kashmir.
We were, of course, surprised and overwhelmed at the
outpouring of sympathy and support by the international community. The
people of Kashmir and Pakistan are deeply touched by the whole-hearted
generous and timely assistance from the United States in this hour of
trial.
The generosity exhibited by the American people, including the vibrant
community of Pakistani Americans, who really have done a lot, will never
be forgotten.
U.S. helicopters, paramedics and relief teams have played
a major role in the post-earthquake situation in Kashmir, and the U.S.
assistance continues to play a very crucial role in the reconstruction
phase. We went through a prolonged rescue phase because of the remoteness
and difficulty of terrain. We have had a prolonged relief phase because
of the weather conditions in that area, and slowly we are entering the
reconstruction phase and U.S. assistance, is going to play a crucial role.
I would like to avail this opportunity to express the
gratitude of the people of Pakistan, and Government of Pakistan, to the
US Congress, American people and the US Administration for the their sensitivity
for this great human disaster. Congress resolutions are a source of strength
for the earthquake victims. Legislators from both houses have visited
the affected areas to see for themselves the scale of devastation caused
by the earthquake. We value their sympathy. We applaud their efforts and
Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee has left but I totally agree with what
she had said on diversity of religion and it as has been said many times
that freedom of expression comes with the sense of responsibility, and
whenever there is irresponsibility, there are consequences.
The natural disaster struck an area and people who have
already been at the receiving end of much suffering and atrocities. There’s
has been a long struggle for freedom and self-determination, and this
earthquake added to their problems. The struggle that they are waging
is of course not a recent one. It’s many many decades old and it
dates back to the first time the troops landed to occupy and suppressed
Kashmiris. February is a day that marks the historic uprising against
occupation of Kashmir and the freedom struggle that started on that day.
Pakistan recognizes the inherent and internationally recognized right
of the Kashmir people. Our moral political and diplomatic support to the
Kashmiris will remain unwavering till they achieve their goal.
The dispute over Jammu and Kashmir, of course, lies at
the core of issues between India and Pakistan. The two countries have
recently taken many confidence building mearues in the spirit of resolving
their differences, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and as Dr.
Fai said these confidence building measures have created a conductive
environment peace but they have not resolved the issue of Kashmir. Some
of these encouraging developments include the continuing rounds of the
composite dialogue, between India and Pakistan, a visible increase of
people-to-people contacts and steps like the bus services across the border
and the opening of travel across the Line of Control. And, of course,
before that, we also had a ceasefire along the Line of Control.
So, there is a progress in these steps and an improvement
in the environment. Positive as the steps are, they will remain meaningless,
without addressing the real cause of tension which is the future of Kashmir
itself.
The time now, no doubt, is the best time for addressing
this long festering dispute and this earthquake, I think , it has created
an opportunity which we must not miss.
None of this is going to be possible without demonstration
of real courage, a deep sense of history, a clear vision of the future
and true statesmanship on the part of the leaders of both India and Kashmir.
Pakistan, on its part, is prepared to be flexible, but
this flexibility has to be reciprocated, or, it would be totally meaningless.
Only with ‘out-of-box’ thinking will such intractable problems
be resolved. It is in this spirit that President Musharraf has come up
with ideas like self-governance and demilitarization. Creation of an enabling
environment for resolution of this dispute would require going beyond
the CBMs. Pakistan recognizes that there are many miles to go, but we
are ready to remain steady on the course. We owe this to the freedom-loving
people of this world. We owe it to the over one billion people of our
region. And, above all, we owe it to the indomitable people of Kashmir.
Pakistan appreciates the positive role that the US has
played in diffusing the tensions between Pakistan and India. The US recognizes
that Kashmir remains an outstanding issue that must be resolved and a
solution acceptable to Pakistan, India and above all, the Kashmiri people,
must be found. President Bush and other senior US officials have expressed
their commitment to promote freedom abroad. The forthcoming visit of President
Bush to the region provides a unique opportunity to focus on the resolution
of this fundamental issue to allow the Kashmiris to exercise their right
to freely choose their destiny. By doing so, the US President would not
only help alleviate the misery of millions in our part of the world, but
would also leave behind a great legacy for himself in history.
The Kashmiris have been victims of state persecution
for decades. Their difficulties have been compounded by the recent earthquake.
However, as this exhibition makes amply clear, the will of the Kashmiri
people remains as strong as ever and the spirit of Kashmir remains full
of faith and hope as ever. We salute their courage and fortitude. We wish
them success in their pursuit of reconstruction. We hail their endeavours
for peace. We applaud their struggle for freedom.
Washington Feb 15, 2006
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