Zebari Meets Musharraf: Pakistan Supports Iraq’s Integrity, Sovereignty
By Rafique Goraya - Pakistan Times Federal Bureau Chief

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf Monday assured visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari that Pakistan fully supports the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iraq.

"Pakistan sincerely desires that the sufferings of brotherly Iraqi people should end. Towards that end, Pakistan completely endorses the Iraqi government and UN efforts to hold fair elections resulting in a representational national government with the participation of all communities," he said.

This was the only way to ensure an independent and prosperous Iraq in which all segments of society would live in peace and harmony, the President added during a call on by Zebari.

The Iraqi Foreign Minister, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, informed the President that elections will be held as per schedule. The Foreign Minister conveyed greetings of the Iraqi President and Prime Minister.

FMs Talks

The Foreign Minister of Interim Iraqi Government Hoshyar Mahmood Muhammad Al-Zebari, who is on a three day visit to Pakistan, in a meeting with Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri agreed for the Joint Ministerial Commission [JMC] meeting at the earliest in Islamabad.

The two sides discussed a wide range of bilateral matters and exchanged views on regional and international issues. The two countries vowed to strengthen cooperation in trade and economic fields and to hold a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission soon.

Foreign Minister Kasuri expressed Pakistan's deep concern over the security situation in Iraq and hoped that the situation will soon return to normalcy. Foreign Minister Kasuri stated that since April 2003, Pakistan has been stressing the need for maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq and has advocated transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people as soon as possible.

Of the UN efforts

With this objective in mind, Pakistan supported all UN efforts including UNSC Resolution 1546 which aims at return of normalcy in the country. Pakistan supported the steps taken by the UN for holding free and fair elections as per schedule. Pakistan hoped that this would lead to a democratically elected, pluralistic and broad-based government which was inclusive of all political and religious groups.

The two Foreign Ministers were assisted by their respective delegations during their extensive meetings. "The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, reflecting mutual friendship and understanding," He said the people of Pakistan and Iraq had deep rooted brotherly relations based on religious, historic and cultural affinities.

The Iraqi Foreign Minister briefed his Pakistani counterpart on the latest developments in Iraq, including the security situation. He briefed him about the preparations for the upcoming January 2005 elections, reconstruction process and the role of UN in Iraq.

Zebari Lauds Pakistan's Role

Foreign Minister Zebari appreciated Pakistan's positive role and its offer in the reconstruction process in Iraq. Foreign Minister Kasuri assured Zebari about Pakistan's assistance in the reconstruction of Iraq.

He pointed that the Agreement on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation signed in 1977 accords Most Favoured Nation Status to each other, while the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) provides a framework for cooperation in various fields like agriculture, industries, oil, transport and telecommunications, housing and construction, health, education, science and technology. He hoped the next session of the JMC will be held in the near future at mutually convenient dates for preparing a well thought out plan of cooperation between the two countries.

'Pakistan Times' understands that the Iraqi interim-government’s Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, during his meeting with President General Pervez Musharraf briefed about the latest prevalent situation in Iraq as well as exchanged views on matters relating to the ensuing general elections in Iraq.

Law and order situation in Iraq, measures taken for reconstruction of Iraq by the interim government, general elections in Iraq scheduled for January-30 besides the role of Pakistan and Muslim countries in reconstruction of Iraq including other burning issues also came under considerations in the meeting, which lasted for one hour.

Pakistan's Vital Role

Speaking on this occasion, Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari termed Pakistan’s role in reconstruction of Iraq as vital.

Sources said that President General Pervez Musharraf stressed on stepping up the pace of peace process in Iraq. "Iraq is passing through a difficult time and the government of Pakistan wishes peace and stability there," a foreign ministry spokesman said after Zebari's arrival.

"Pakistan continues to watch the situation in Iraq with great interest and hopes this visit would further strengthen the ties between the two brotherly countries for their mutual benefit," the spokesman said.

Meeting with PM Today

Zebari, who arrived Pakistan Sunday for a three-day visit, was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz today, Tuesday before returning home.

Pakistan, a key ally of the United States in its war to oust the Taliban in Afghanistan, wasn't a big supporter of the U.S.-led military campaign in Iraq, and has so far rejected requests for peacekeeping troops.

During a visit to Britain early this month Musharraf urged US-led multinational forces to hasten their departure from Iraq by training local troops more quickly.

Backdrop

Pakistan opposed the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, and refused to send troops for peacekeeping missions in the war-torn country. Musharraf however said Pakistan would consider helping train Iraqi soldiers.

Hoshyar Zebari is the second minister of the interim-government of Iraq visiting Pakistan. Earlier, Iraqi Defence Minister, Hazim Shalan Al-Khazee had visited Pakistan last month.●