RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, 1 November 2005 — In a two-part press conference that bracketed iftar, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf yesterday condemned terrorist attacks on India while praising the US, UN and NATO assistance that has been provided in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake.

He also saw the opening of border points in Kashmir as a great opportunity to advance the Indo-Pak peace process.

Musharraf termed the recent bombings in the Indian capital of New Delhi “a dastardly attack.”

“We stand by India and offer our assistance in every possible way in order to rid South Asia of terrorism,” he told foreign and local journalists at Rawalpindi’s Camp Office.

Musharraf thanked all those who have assisted Pakistan with much-needed earthquake relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations.

The people of Pakistan, he said, had faced the trauma with real resilience. Immediately after the disaster struck, they provided help to the victims.

The president expressed special gratitude to all nations of the international community, to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and individual donors for their rapid assistance. He specifically mentioned the United States for its extraordinary support.

He said the United Nations’ timely call for a conference in Geneva had made member countries aware of the hardships and difficulties in assisting victims in the earthquake-stricken country. Initially, $580 million came out of the Geneva conference, and more is still arriving.

President Musharraf said the government of Pakistan, the United Nations and the NGOs had made assessments of losses and prepared an evaluation report for the country’s midterm and long-term requirements.

“We are preparing a database on every village hit by the quake,” he said. “One key problem is the shortage of tents. So far, we have delivered 228,000 tents to the survivors, but we need large numbers of winterized ones.”

Responding to reports of areas that still have not been fully accessed, the president conceded that he could not say that all areas had been covered, but they were trying.

He said those who criticized NATO presence in Pakistan should realize the importance of the organization’s help in sending engineering, medical and communications equipment to restore these facilities. He said the US had already committed 25 of its large Chinook helicopters. “We offer our thanks to them,” he said, noting that the Chinook pilots were doing a tough job. “We have to be grateful to them. We could not have done this kind of great job without them. I thank the US for this great service.”

He said the implementation of relief program was not 100 percent successful. “Shortcomings and failures will always be there, and we have to overcome this,” said Musharraf, attired in brown kurta shalwar. “I urge the media to point out the shortcomings so that we can redouble our efforts.”

He said undue criticism of a nation already demoralized should, however, be avoided. “Highlighting mismanagement alienates those who want to help Pakistan.”

Musharraf said there would be no cut in the country’s defense spending despite the increased relief demands the country faces. “We are not contemplating any defense cuts,” he said. “There is a security requirement, which is separate, and there is the earthquake requirement, which is totally separate.”

He was happy about the agreement with India over five crossing points on the Line of Control, which will allow for more relief and reconstruction. It created a great opportunity to advance the cause of peace. “I think we should think of demilitarization of the whole of Kashmir,” Musharraf said.

Responding to a question from India’s Sahara TV about why Indian pilots were not being allowed to participate in relief operations, he said there were suspicions on both sides. “It is a sensitive issue. It will take time,” he added.