'The Most Dangerous Dispute In The World'

Full text of the Pakistan President's address to the 58th. United Nations General Assembly

Mr. President, It is with great pleasure that I extend to you our warmest felicitations on your election. Ialso congratulate your predecessor, H.E. Mr. Jan Kavan, for his effective leadership during the last Sessionof the General Assembly.

We support Secretary-General Kofi Annan's efforts to infuse a new sense of mission in the United Nationsand maintain the centrality of its role in the promotion of global peace and security. We pay tribute to thememory of Mr. Sergio de Mello and the other UN officials who sacrificed their lives in the service of peace.

Mr. President,

When the Berlin Wall collapsed, hopes revived for a new age of cooperation and peace, free of ideologicalconfrontations. Sadly, these hopes were dashed:

• by the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, and then in Kosovo;
  
• by the failure to end the occupation of Palestine, leading to the revived Intifada against Israelioccupation;
  
  
• by the brutal suppression of the Kashmiris demand for self-determination and freedom from Indianoccupation;
  
  
• by the unending war in Afghanistan and the international neglect which created a climate in whichextremism and terrorism could breed;
  
  
• by the series of international financial crises and the rise of poverty as a consequence of unequaleconomic globalization.

The terrible terrorist atrocity of 9/11 jolted the foundations of the international system. The responsehas weakened Al-Qaeda. But, it has not eliminated its associates. Terrorists have struck repeatedly around theworld - in Indonesia, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kenya - and in Pakistan.

The tragedy of 9/11 transformed security policies and changed geopolitical calculations. Pakistan took astrategic decision, based on the principles of humanity and our national interest, to support the war onterrorism. Our intentions should be in no
doubt. Our actions speak louder than words. Our capabilities were limited but have been progressivelyimproved. We are acting against Al-Qaeda and its associates effectively. We have also acted against otherorganizations or groups involved in any form of terrorism. Pakistan will remain in the forefront of the war onterrorism.

The war against terrorism must be fought comprehensively, on a global front, with vision and understanding.It should not erode the moral values of our societies. It must not be hijacked by those who seek to use it asan excuse to suppress other peoples. It must not be allowed to engender a clash of civilizations - a clashbetween Islam and the West.

It is unfortunate that great religions - which should be a source of hope, tolerance and peace - are seenas being pitted against each other. Many Muslims believe their eternal Faith is being demonized. They seeMuslim peoples being cruelly suppressed for demanding freedom and equality or targeted for discrimination andworse.

On the other hand, the West perceives the Islamic world as volatile and hostile, bent upon striking atWestern values. Muslims are often seen as fanatics, extremists and terrorists.

In this volatile milieu, the recent war in Iraq has evoked negative reactions in most Arab and Islamiccountries.

This moment in history calls for reflection, introspection and action. The thesis of a clash ofcivilizations is a travesty. We must bridge the gulf of misunderstanding between Islam and the West. We mustbe the catalysts of change, not the prophets of doom.

Islam is a faith of peace, harmony and justice. Islam is democracy in action. It upholds human rights,social equality, non-discrimination, freedom of speech. The protection of minorities is an article of faith inIslam. It does not discriminate on the basis of color, caste, creed or religion. Our Faith is dynamic,promoting constant renewal and adaptation, through the process of Ijtehad (or interpretation throughconsultations), Islam's vision is not trapped in any one period of history; it is modern and futuristic. Islammust not be confused with the narrow vision of a few extremists.

Mr. President,

I believe the way forward is to adopt a two-pronged strategy - a double pincer - to build harmony, promotemoderation, oppose extremism, and ensure justice. I call this strategy: "Enlightened Moderation".

On the one hand, Muslim nations must assume their responsibility for internal reform and renewal. They areat the cross roads. They must eschew extremism and confrontation. They must embrace the march of humancivilization. They must address
the deficits in their social and economic development. They must seek science and technology, higher educationand human resource development.

The international community, specially the advanced countries of the West, must deliver the other pincer inthe strategy of "Enlightened Moderation". They can do so:

• by helping to resolve the political disputes and situations where Muslim peoples are being suppressed,such as in Palestine and Kashmir;
  
  
• by rejecting attempts to equate terrorism with Islam; and
• by assisting the Muslim World in poverty alleviation and socio-economic development.

The United Nations has a crucial role to play in the conception and execution of the strategy of"Enlightened Moderation".

Mr. President,

In this context, it is clear that a consensus must be quickly evolved at the United Nations on ways torestore Iraq's stability, security and sovereignty. Iraq cannot be allowed to remain an open wound. This willimpact on the region and could inject a new dimension to the campaign against terrorism and extremism. Theconsensus evolved must enable the Iraqi people, through an inclusive political process, to determine thesequence of steps leading to a fully representative Iraqi government and an end to occupation. The Iraqipeople should assume control of their resources and political destiny as soon as possible. They must receivethe full support of the international community, including Iraq's neighbours and the Arab and Islamiccountries, in building security and reconstructing their country. Pakistan would be prepared to help in acollective UN sanctioned Arab and Islamic effort to help the Iraqi people, if they wish us to do so.

Endeavours to stabilize Iraq will be enhanced by progress in promoting peace with justice in the MiddleEast. Hopes for a just and comprehensive peace were aroused earlier this year by the "Quartet'sRoad-Map". These hopes have been progressively dimmed. But, failure is not an option. The fate of thePalestinian people is the principal factor in determining public and political perceptions in the entireIslamic world. It is only progress towards a just peace that can marginalize the extremists. Therefore, wemust revive faithful implementation of the Road-Map and realize the vision of two States, Palestine andIsrael, living side by side in peace within recognized boundaries.

Mr. President,

We must ensure the successful implementation of the Bonn process in Afghanistan. The internationalstabilization force (ISAF) should be expanded and enlarged to ensure security and control over all parts ofAfghanistan by President Karzai's government. Pakistan will continue to contribute to interdicting andarresting Al-Qaeda and associated terrorists. We will further intensify our economic cooperation withAfghanistan. It is essential that Afghanistan's territory is not used by third countries for interference orterrorism against Afghanistan's neighbours.

Mr. President,

Jammu and Kashmir has been rightly described as the most dangerous dispute in the world. A just solution ofthis dispute holds the key to peace and security in South Asia.

I am glad that India has stepped back from its dangerous and failed experiment in "coercivediplomacy" last year. Despite some improvement in atmospherics, India continues to suppress thelegitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance withthe UN Security Council resolutions. It refuses Pakistan's offers of dialogue to address and resolve theKashmir dispute.

India cites "cross-border" terrorism to refuse a dialogue. It knows fully well that the Kashmiristruggle is indigenous. India seeks to exploit the international anti-terrorist sentiment after 9/11, todelegitimize the Kashmiri freedom struggle. On the contrary, it is India which violates international law byrefusing to implement Security Council resolutions and perpetrating gross and consistent violations of humanrights in Kashmir.

Mr. President,

Once again, from this august rostrum, I invite India to join Pakistan in a sustained dialogue to resolvethe Kashmir dispute. I am convinced that, with goodwill, we can find a just solution which is acceptable toIndia, to Pakistan and, above all, to the Kashmiri people.

I also invite India, jointly with Pakistan, to observe a complete ceasefire along the Line of Control inKashmir.

Pakistan would also be prepared to encourage a general cessation of violence within Kashmir, involvingreciprocal obligations and restraints on Indian forces and the Kashmir freedom movement.

And, if India is genuinely concerned about cross-LOC infiltration, we ask that it agree to a viablemechanism to monitor this on both sides. The UNMOGIP could be enlarged for this purpose.

Mr. President,

Apart from addressing Kashmir, sustainable security in South Asia requires India and Pakistan to institutemeasures to ensure mutual nuclear restraint and a conventional arms balance. Unfortunately, India is embarkedon a massive build-up of its conventional and non-conventional military capabilities - advanced offensiveaircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, ABM systems, nuclear submarines and an aircraft carrier. This willdestabilize South Asia and erode strategic deterrence. Those powers which desire peace, stability findsecurity in South Asia - and oppose the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction - must review theirdecisions to offer such major strategic weapons systems to India. They must contribute to maintaining armsrestraint and a military balance in South Asia.

Mr. President,

The crises and conflicts of the last decade have enhanced, not diminished, the relevance of the UnitedNations. The United Nations remains the central forum for dialogue and diplomacy. It must be strengthened. TheSecurity Council must be made more representative by increasing the number of non-permanent members. Newpermanent members will only expand inequality. States which occupy and suppress other peoples, and defy theresolutions of the Security Council, have no credentials to aspire for permanent membership.

Mr. President,

We are on the cusp of a new Millennium. It is a decisive moment in history. We must decide whether to flowwith the currents that threaten confrontation and the collapse of our civilization, or muster the collectivewill to chart the course of history towards a peaceful and cooperative global society. The leaders assembledhere bear an enormous responsibility:

• to rescue our world from war and violence, poverty and pestilence;
• to redress inequity and impoverishment which breeds despair and destruction; - to collectively construct anew global architecture of peace and prosperity for all peoples and nations.

I thank you, Mr. President.