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Mr. President,
It is with great pleasure that I extend to you our warmest felicitations on
your election. I also congratulate your predecessor, H.E. Mr. Jan Kavan, for his
effective leadership during the last Session of the General Assembly.
2. We support Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s efforts to infuse a new sense of
mission in the United Nations and maintain the centrality of its role in the
promotion of global peace and security. We pay tribute to the memory of Mr.
Sergio de Mello and the other UN officials who sacrificed their lives in the
service of peace.
Mr. President,
3. When the Berlin Wall collapsed, hopes revived for a new age of cooperation
and peace, free of ideological confrontations. 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 Israeli occupation;
- by the brutal suppression of the Kashmiris demand for
self-determination and freedom from Indian occupation;
- by the unending war in Afghanistan and the international
neglect which created a climate in which extremism and terrorism could breed;
- by the series of international financial crises and the
rise of poverty as a consequence of unequal economic globalization.
4. The terrible terrorist atrocity of 9/11 jolted the foundations of the
international system. The response has weakened Al-Qaeda. But, it has not
eliminated its associates. Terrorists have struck repeatedly around the world –
in Indonesia, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kenya – and in Pakistan.
5. The tragedy of 9/11 transformed security policies and changed geopolitical
calculations. Pakistan took a strategic decision, based on the principles of
humanity and our national interest, to support the war on terrorism. Our
intentions should be in no doubt. Our actions speak louder than words. Our
capabilities were limited but have been progressively improved. We are acting
against Al-Qaeda and its associates effectively. We have also acted against
other organizations or groups involved in any form of terrorism. Pakistan will
remain in the forefront of the war on terrorism.
6. 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 as an excuse to
suppress other peoples. It must not be allowed to engender a clash of
civilizations – a clash between Islam and the West.
7. It is unfortunate that great religions – which should be a source of hope,
tolerance and peace – are seen as being pitted against each other. Many Muslims
believe their eternal Faith is being demonized. They see Muslim peoples being
cruelly suppressed for demanding freedom and equality or targeted for
discrimination and worse.
8. On the other hand, the West perceives the Islamic world as volatile and
hostile, bent upon striking at Western values. Muslims are often seen as
fanatics, extremists and terrorists.
9. In this volatile milieu, the recent war in Iraq has evoked negative reactions
in most Arab and Islamic countries.
10. This moment in history calls for reflection, introspection and action. The
thesis of a clash of civilizations is a travesty. We must bridge the gulf of
misunderstanding between Islam and the West. We must be the catalysts of change,
not the prophets of doom.
11. 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 in Islam. 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 through consultations), Islam’s vision is not trapped
in any one period of history; it is modern and futuristic. Islam must not be
confused with the narrow vision of a few extremists.
Mr. President,
12. I believe the way forward is to adopt a two-pronged strategy – a double
pincer – to build harmony, promote moderation, oppose extremism, and ensure
justice. I call this strategy: “Enlightened Moderation”.
13. On the one hand, Muslim nations must assume their responsibility for
internal reform and renewal. They are at the cross roads. They must eschew
extremism and confrontation. They must embrace the march of human civilization.
They must address the deficits in their social and economic development. They
must seek science and technology, higher education and human resource
development.
14. The international community, specially the advanced countries of the West,
must deliver the other pincer in the 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.
15. The United Nations has a crucial role to play in the conception and
execution of the strategy of “Enlightened Moderation”.
Mr. President,
16. In this context, it is clear that a consensus must be quickly evolved at the
United Nations on ways to restore Iraq’s stability, security and sovereignty.
Iraq cannot be allowed to remain an open wound. This will impact on the region
and could inject a new dimension to the campaign against terrorism and
extremism. The consensus evolved must enable the Iraqi people, through an
inclusive political process, to determine the sequence of steps leading to a
fully representative Iraqi government and an end to occupation. The Iraqi people
should assume control of their resources and political destiny as soon as
possible. They must receive the full support of the international community,
including Iraq’s neighbours and the Arab and Islamic countries, in building
security and reconstructing their country. Pakistan would be prepared to help in
a collective UN-sanctioned Arab and Islamic effort to help the Iraqi people, if
they wish us to do so.
17. Endeavours to stabilize Iraq will be enhanced by progress in promoting peace
with justice in the Middle East. Hopes for a just and comprehensive peace were
aroused earlier this year by the “Quartet’s Road-Map”. These hopes have been
progressively dimmed. But, failure is not an option. The fate of the Palestinian
people is the principal factor in determining public and political perceptions
in the entire Islamic world. It is only progress towards a just peace that can
marginalize the extremists. Therefore, we must revive faithful implementation of
the Road-Map and realize the vision of two States, Palestine and Israel, living
side by side in peace within recognized boundaries.
Mr. President,
18. We must ensure the successful implementation of the Bonn process in
Afghanistan. The international stabilization force (ISAF) should be expanded and
enlarged to ensure security and control over all parts of Afghanistan by
President Karzai’s government. Pakistan will continue to contribute to
interdicting and arresting Al-Qaeda and associated terrorists. We will further
intensify our economic cooperation with Afghanistan. It is essential that
Afghanistan’s territory is not used by third countries for interference or
terrorism against Afghanistan’s neighbours.
Mr. President,
19. Jammu and Kashmir has been rightly described as the most dangerous dispute
in the world. A just solution of this dispute holds the key to peace and
security in South Asia.
20. I am glad that India has stepped back from its dangerous and failed
experiment in “coercive diplomacy” last year. Despite some improvement in
atmospherics, India continues to suppress the legitimate struggle of the
Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with
the UN Security Council resolutions. It refuses Pakistan’s offers of dialogue to
address and resolve the Kashmir dispute.
21. India cites “cross-border” terrorism to refuse a dialogue. It knows fully
well that the Kashmiri struggle is indigenous. India seeks to exploit the
international anti-terrorist sentiment after 9/11, to delegitimize the Kashmiri
freedom struggle. On the contrary, it is India which violates international law
by refusing to implement Security Council resolutions and perpetrating gross and
consistent violations of human rights in Kashmir.
Mr. President,
22. Once again, from this august rostrum, I invite India to join Pakistan in a
sustained dialogue to resolve the Kashmir dispute. I am convinced that, with
goodwill, we can find a just solution which is acceptable to India, to Pakistan
and, above all, to the Kashmiri people.
23. I also invite India, jointly with Pakistan, to observe a complete ceasefire
along the Line of Control in Kashmir.
24. Pakistan would also be prepared to encourage a general cessation of violence
within Kashmir, involving reciprocal obligations and restraints on Indian forces
and the Kashmir freedom movement.
25. And, if India is genuinely concerned about cross-LOC infiltration, we ask
that it agree to a viable mechanism to monitor this on both sides. The UNMOGIP
could be enlarged for this purpose.
Mr. President,
26. Apart from addressing Kashmir, sustainable security in South Asia requires
India and Pakistan to institute measures to ensure mutual nuclear restraint and
a conventional arms balance. Unfortunately, India is embarked on a massive
build-up of its conventional and non-conventional military capabilities –
advanced offensive aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, ABM systems, nuclear
submarines and an aircraft carrier. This will destabilize South Asia and erode
strategic deterrence. Those powers which desire peace, stability and security in
South Asia – and oppose the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction – must
review their decisions to offer such major strategic weapons systems to India.
They must contribute to maintaining arms restraint and a military balance in
South Asia.
Mr. President,
27. The crises and conflicts of the last decade have enhanced, not diminished,
the relevance of the United Nations. The United Nations remains the central
forum for dialogue and diplomacy. It must be strengthened. The Security Council
must be made more representative by increasing the number of non-permanent
members. New permanent members will only expand inequality. States which occupy
and suppress other peoples, and defy the resolutions of the Security Council,
have no credentials to aspire for permanent membership.
Mr. President,
28. We are on the cusp of a new Millennium. It is a decisive moment in history.
We must decide whether to flow with the currents that threaten confrontation and
the collapse of our civilization, or muster the collective will to chart the
course of history towards a peaceful and cooperative global society. The leaders
assembled here 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 a new global architecture of
peace and prosperity for all peoples and nations.
I thank you, Mr. President