RAWALPINDI, 30 October 2005 — Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf speaks with determination, candor and a frankness that exemplifies the enlightened moderation which has given his country new prominence on the world stage.
We met him yesterday on the first floor of a British-style house in Rawalpindi that once belonged to a Parsi gentleman, Minoo Bhandara. Donated to the young nation of Pakistan in 1947 by Bhandara, it is now known as “The Camp Office.”
Though he has the bearing and resolve of a seasoned military officer, on this occasion, President Musharraf wore a gray business suit.
Many have criticized his dealings with the United States and Israel but they overlook the fact that his is a powerful Muslim voice which is willing to speak on controversial issues and which is listened to with respect in the West. Following are excerpts from the interview:
Q: The recent contacts between Pakistan and Israel have caused alarm in some Arab quarters. Can you say that the contacts will not, in any way, change Pakistan’s position toward the Palestinians and their cause?
A: I do say that. It is unfortunate that in some quarters, especially in the Arab world, there is a misunderstanding about what we are doing. Pakistan’s stance concerning the Palestinian cause is unchanged; there has been no change whatsoever. We are for the establishment of a Palestinian state and Pakistan offers its complete support for the creation of a Palestinian state and a homeland for Palestinians. The question is how this can be achieved and what contributions Pakistan can make. Could we contribute more by not talking to Israel, by not doing anything? With no contacts at all? Surely we can contribute more if we have contacts with Israel. We told the Israelis clearly, face to face, that they would have to create a Palestinian state. We told them that otherwise there would be no peace for Israel or for the world. Because of our stance, look at what we have achieved. When I was in the United States, the American Jewish Congress invited me to dinner. I spoke to them. What did I tell them? I told the entire American Jewish community to their faces that they must create a Palestinian state and that Pakistan supports the creation of that state. If a Palestinian state is not created, I told them, you will be responsible for a terrible future. Has any Muslim leader ever told them this before? Nobody has ever said this to them but I said it. I was able to because of what I feel. Why then, for heaven’s sake, is there misunderstanding in the Arab world? Let us all understand the problem and work to achieve the goal. The objective is clear: The creation of a Palestinian state. What are the modalities for accomplishing this? We must use our heads and develop a strategy. Let us all work for the objective and it can be achieved.
Q: Pakistan is a key ally of the United States in the fight against terror. The United States has been making noises against Syria and Iran. Will Pakistan play a balancing role in cooling down the situation?
A: Yes, we will. The Iranian vice president was here with me just before you arrived. We have played our role. In my capacity, I have told everyone that we cannot afford confrontation with Iran. We cannot open new fronts. I have always said that we need to close fronts. This is our stand and we are playing our role in this. I am personally playing a role. When I go to the US and meet the leadership, I tell them we have to close fronts. We cannot afford so many fronts. We have a front in Iraq, a front in Afghanistan, a front in Palestine and a front in Kashmir. Let us close all these fronts because they are affecting the Muslim world. So we in Pakistan are playing this role and we will continue to play this role. However, when you speak of Syria and Iran, we will also request that Syria and Iran adopt a reconciliatory approach instead of a confrontational one. This is my feeling. Let everyone adopt a reconciliatory approach rather than a confrontational one...
Q: ... With the United States?
A: With everyone. Let’s put an end to terrorism, extremism and militancy. That is the reconciliatory approach that I am talking of. Now if the actions of any country are contributing to suicide bombings, militancy and extremism, they must be stopped.
Q: Don’t you think that reconciliatory approaches are made more difficult by the Iranian statement a few days ago that Israel should be wiped off the world map?
A: I would not make that kind of statement. Because anything that serves to increase confrontation should be avoided. That’s what I meant — we must concentrate on things which assist reconciliation instead of things which lead to confrontation.
Q: Can we speak now about Pakistan and India? You have had discussions about opening the Line of Control (LOC). Certain sections of the Indian media are saying that Pakistan has haggled on this issue. What are your views in the light of relief operations and some of the political considerations?
A: It is unfortunate that anybody has said that Pakistan has haggled on this issue. Pakistan has been haggling on only one issue: Indian military personnel coming across the LOC. On no other issue has Pakistan haggled. As for relief operations, let me repeat that if India wants to send anything, please send it. In any amount, in any quantity and in any form. We want relief supplies. Open the LOC. We have opened relief centers at five points on the LOC. We have suggested five crossing points and the Indians are talking of three. So am I haggling or are they haggling? We have opened relief centers there. We would like anybody from Kashmir coming to this side to bring relief goods. We welcome it. I have asked India to allow people from our side of Kashmir to take relief goods inside Kashmir to help in reconstruction. We will allow them to do the same. Is that enough? Now, who is haggling? The only thing is that the Indian military must not cross to our side of the LOC. I always say that we will not accept the Indian military coming into Pakistan.
Q: Do you see the talks as being successful or leading to some kind of conclusion?
A: If you ask my opinion, there may be some problems which will be created by the other side. Otherwise I have told you — if they want to come for relief and reconstruction, we welcome that. We want to simplify the procedure. I am open to that. We want to send our people from Kashmir there for relief and reconstruction. Tomorrow you will see for yourself what is happening, whether we are haggling or they are haggling.
Q: In the wake of this tragedy, soon there will be some kind of political rapprochement, just like such things as cricket have brought change. Do you think it is high time for people of both sides to do something for peace? So much money has been spent by both sides on defense. Out of this horrible situation will something better emerge?
A: I hope so. I am certainly for it. That’s why I say that we should open the LOC. There was a phrase once used by the Indian leadership — let’s make the LOC irrelevant. I am making it irrelevant. I say let’s open five points. Let’s have easy travel. Am I not trying to do that? So let’s do it. There must be political movement. There must be discussions between India and Pakistan, involving Kashmiris, that will lead to results. I am for those results. You are absolutely right. This is an opportunity. You are very right that we are spending too much money on the military. I am for demilitarization. If they agree to that, we will too. We are very flexible. We are absolutely open to moving forward to the ultimate solution. You cannot clap with one hand; you can only clap with two.
