An interview with Pakistan President Musharraf

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 04, 2003

An interview with Pakistan President Musharraf

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Hu Jintao meets Pakistani President Musharraf

At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf paid a state visit to China from November 3 to 5 before which he attended the second annual conference of the Boao Forum as invited. Prior to his state visit to China, Musharraf had an exclusive interview in written form by People's Daily reporter.

"For Asia, Bo'ao Forum is an important and timely undertaking," Musharraf first extended his view on the forum. He said, it was due to the sustained growth of Asian economic and trade activities that Bo��ao Forum came into being as Eastern Asia region, including China, has become a new roll booster for the global economy able to exert a significant bearing on the world economy.

Musharraf spoke highly of the relations between Pakistan and China. He said, the Pakistani-China friendly and cooperative relations based on principles, mutual trust and mutual respect, are a paragon of good-neighborly relations. The Pakistani-China friendship has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the peoples of the two countries. This friendship is a positive element for the regional peace and stability. It is not only in conformity with the interests of Pakistan and China, but also conducive to the mutual understanding and harmonious relations among countries. Pakistan appreciates active role by China in promoting the peace and progress of Asia and the world.

When talking about the economic and trade cooperation between Pakistan and China, Musharraf pointed out that China has made valuable contributions to the promotion of economic development in Pakistan, especially in terms of industry and infrastructure construction. For instance, the key project such as the Karakorum Highway is a typical model of the Sino-Pakistani cooperation. Currently, China is assisting Pakistan in putting up the Gwadar Harbor, which will not only benefit the economic development of the western region of Pakistan but also provide a convenient passage at sea for the import and export of Central Asian countries such as Afghanistan. He said Pakistan welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Pakistan to further enhance the level of Pakistani-China economic and trade cooperation and to promote the overall development of the bilateral relations.

Pakistan treasures its friendship and strategic partnership with China and hopes the friendly relations between the two countries can be strengthened and developed in an all-around way, emphasized Musharraf. He pointed out that his visit to China this time is part and parcel of the high-level mutual visits and consultations between the two countries. He��s looking forward to meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other Chinese leaders in the hope of exchanging views on the bilateral relations and regional and international issues with China's new generation of leaders.

When talking about anti-terrorist wars and Pakistan's role in the international anti-terrorist endeavors, Musharraf said: "Pakistan condemns any form of terrorism. We are opposed to terrorism and religious extremists because they are evil forces in today's world and a menace to social stability. Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism. We are part of the international anti-terrorist alliance and we have received extensive praises from the international community." He also pointed out: "In order to seize and guard against 'Al Qaeda' and its supporters, Pakistan has deployed a mass of army in its western region and boundary region with Afghanistan." Musharraf said: "Pakistan will never allow terrorists or religious extremists to take advantage of its territory."

With regard to the situation in South Asia, Musharraf said: "Pakistan hopes that South Asia maintains peace and stability which will help countries in the region to concentrate on the exploration of resources and developing their economy, and to raise their people's living standard. He also pointed out that the biggest challenge facing South Asia is how to eliminate poverty and diseases rampant there and how to create a better future for the people of the countries in the region.

On the Pakistani-India relations, Musharraf reiterated: "Kashmir issue is the root-cause of the tense relations and even the conflicts between Pakistan and India. Pakistan has always expressed its hope to have negotiations with India on the differences and disputes including the Kashmir issue." He holds that it is impossible for the differences and disputes themselves to disappear, and dialogue and negotiation are the only solution. Pakistan appreciates Chinese leaders' efforts in "alleviating the tense relations and resuming negotiation" between Pakistan and India. Musharraf pointed out that despite the recent improvement of Pakistani-Indian relations, for instance, ambassadors sent by both sides, the resumption of tourism and mutual visits by several celebrity delegations consisting of parliamentary members, reporters and representatives of non-governmental organizations, formal talks between the governments are irreplaceable. Musharraf said that Pakistan is ready to have talks of suchlike with India.

By PD Online staff member Gao Lanrong

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