ISLAMABAD, 13 April 2003 — Pakistan yesterday called for a central role for the United Nations in establishing future political set up in Iraq and maintenance of territorial integrity of the nation and its control over its oil wealth.
A Foreign Ministry statement outlining Islamabad’s position on the post war developments in Iraq said Pakistan would send its ambassador back to Baghdad as soon the security situation there allowed.
It underlined the obligation of the US-led coalition forces to “address the humanitarian and other basic needs of Iraqi people as well as to restore public order in Iraq.”
Widespread looting and breakdown of public order have created a chaotic situation after the fall of the regime of President Saddam Hussein, who the coalition forces say is either dead or on the run with his sons and elite. “Governance of Iraq is the right of the Iraqi people, and therefore it should be restored to them as soon as possible,” the statement said. “The territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq must be preserved, and also rights over its natural resources. “The UN should have a central role in shaping the future of Iraq, as well as in addressing the humanitarian and long term reconstruction of Iraq.”
The statement said Pakistan had lined up humanitarian relief goods for Iraq which would be despatched as soon as logistical arrangements were finalized. The government is in discussion with all parties concerned and neighboring countries to find the most effective way of delivering the assistance, it said. Foreign Ministry officials said the Iraqi Embassy in Islamabad was still functioning.
Washington had asked for closure of Iraqi embassies in about 60 countries across the world. But government officials here have said they had not so far received any formal US request for taking the action.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman suggested Iraqi diplomats should take refuge in the neighboring countries rather than further afield. “It will be wiser for them to go to their neighboring states where they will have no language barrier and also they are familiar with those societies,” the spokesman, said.
“Diplomatic ties end with the fall of regime,” he said, referring to the remarks by the ambassador of Saddam’s regime to United Nations who had said “the game is over.” Responding to a query, the spokesman said the new government in Baghdad was supposed to decide the fate of its diplomats.
He said Pakistan would decide about reopening of its mission in Iraq once the situation had stabilized. Pakistan, one of the nine non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, has deplored the US-led war on Iraq. Religious groups have organized huge rallies across the country in recent weeks to protest US-led attack. They criticize the government for not taking a tough enough stance on the issue.
These religious groups are also opposed to Pakistan’s support for the US-led war that toppled Afghanistan’s Taleban regime for sheltering Al-Qaeda network blamed by the United States for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
