Threats to International Peace and Security

Statement by His Excellency Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in the Security Council Open Debate on Threats to International Peace and Security 9 December 2008

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

Today, the United Nations has gathered to debate “Threats to International Peace and Security”, and it is befitting that President of Croatia, H.E. Mr. Stjepan Mesic was presiding over this discussion. Croatia has suffered enormous trauma and has been devastated by the threats to its peace and security. I express my felicitations to His Excellency for not only presiding-over this debate but in also giving to us benefit of his experience in the matter. Today, as we discuss this important issue, we are troubled by two very tragic events that resulted in the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians in Mumbai, India and a few days later in Peshawar, Pakistan. This horrific devastation being thousands of miles apart, yet has a discernable imprint of common purpose, reminds us of the common threat posed by terrorism to our common birth and destiny. I condemn these incidents and condole with all concerned.

  1. The President of Pakistan asked me to convey to this Council the pain in India as he perceived it and I quote “we can identify with India’s pain. I am especially empathetic. I feel this pain every time I look into the eyes of my children.”
  2. Today through the New York Times President of Pakistan has said to the world that “Pakistan is committed to the pursuit, arrest, trial and punishment of anyone involved in these heinous attacks…Pakistan will take actions against non-state actors found within our territory, treating them as criminals, terrorists and murderers. Not only are the terrorists not linked to the Government of Pakistan in any way, we too are their targets and we too continue to be their victims”. He then goes on to say very emphatically and I quote “but we caution against hasty judgments and inflammatory statements”.
  3. The words of the President have been today converted from a commitment into an action. I quote from the New York Times article “Pakistan raids militants linked to Mumbai attacks” in which I specifically quote the Army Information Department of Pakistan as saying “we have started an intelligence led operation against banned militant outfits and organizations today”. This is a very important statement as it shows all arms of the Government of Pakistan are moving in coordination and cohesion towards punishment of those who seek in any way to destroy peace of our neighbours and our own country.
  4. So Pakistan has cast the proverbial “first stone”. The strong denouement by India in the Security Council today may be viewed under domestic political considerations but I do ask, is it warranted? Is there anything we are not ready to do with you in reason. The President of Pakistan has clearly stated to India and the world and I quote “the best response to the Mumbai carnage is to coordinate by counter-acting the scourge of terrorism”. It is a very important offer. The world must act to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and democracy, help us build civil society and provide us with the law enforcement and counter-terrorism capacities that will enable us to fight the terrorists activities effectively.” He further goes on to say that “India and Pakistan – and the rest of the world - must work together to track down the terrorists who caused mayhem in Mumbai, attacked New York, London, Madrid and in the past destroyed the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad in September.
  5. We did not want to raise these issues by jumping to conclusions in haste. I would request my friends in India to recall that when the Friendship Samjhota Express was burnt down with Muslim passengers killed on their way to Pakistan, fingers were pointed hastily at Pakistan but later it was proved that an Indian Army Colonel was involved. Similarly, not a point I would have raised today but under the circumstances, in Kashmir, Pakistan despite its domestic situation is exercising restraint, on the international forum and this is how we would like to see the aftermath of Mumbai blast incidents as well. We are all aware that the Kashmir situation is the root cause of all problems between India and Pakistan. Would it not be a good time to do away with the root cause by pledging to resolve it with deeds and actions as we have done today in Pakistan to get this problem away from us all.
  6. How should we proceed? I would say that let us recommend to each other to stop all negative campaigns against each other. Then Indian must help resolve even the religious aspect. Some of you here may not be aware where this matter has taken root in a very deep way. Led entirely by the Mullahs in India in Deoband. I am not pointing a finger. I am coming up with a very good suggestion. It is the clerics in Deoband, who wield great influence in the North West Frontier territories of Pakistan and in FATA, to come to Pakistan, get together and embed, offer a fatwa in Pakistan against suicide bombing and killings of Muslims in Pakistan and even in India. I think it would have a very important affect in the North West Frontier province and in fact the most powerful politician in that province, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman who also owes his obeisance to Deoband. So we can help. We can use each other’s facilities. This one being perhaps the most important which is not being considered.
  7. I would also like to give you a few glimpses of steps taken today in Pakistan:
    • The Government of Pakistan has already initiated investigations on its own pertaining to the allegations of involvement of persons and entities in the Mumbai attacks.
    • After the designation of Jamat-ud-Daawa (JUD) under 1267 the Government on receiving communication from the Security Council shall proscribe the JUD and take other consequential actions, as required, including the freezing of assets.
    • A plan is being prepared to ensure effective government supervision as required for various welfare organizations.
    • An intelligence led operation strongly supported by law enforcement agencies is already underway to arrest the individuals alleged to be involved in the Mumbai attacks.
    • No training camps for Lashkar-e-Tayyaba or any entity of this nature shall be allowed on the territory of Pakistan.
    • The above measures, which are in process, constitute further proof of Pakistan’s determination to take action and not to allow its territory to be used for terrorism.
    • Pakistan Government’s ability and capacity to take strong measures requires the understanding and full support of its friends at the United Nations and its Security Council.
    • In addition to our proposal of a Joint Commission and investigations, we have now proposed to India to receive the highest possible level delegation from Pakistan to sort out these affairs.
  8. But now let me come to the real focus of this debate, I feel that our objective is to improve and strengthen international cooperation and coordination in the fight against terrorism.

Mr. President,

  1. In the broader fight against terrorism, pre-eminence of operational measures could never be challenged. However, to ensure total defeat of terrorists, we need to formulate comprehensive strategies. We believe, the simplistic approaches to resolve intricate problems will create more problems.
  2. The First and the foremost need of the time is that we promote inter-cultural harmony. We must reject efforts aimed at creating new divisions, clashes and schisms. We desperately need to promote culture of peace and harmony in the world.
  3. The human thirst for justice, how misperceived that may be, could be better quenched through political means than force. Therefore, we must promote political solution of long unresolved conflicts, including Kashmir and Palestine. Though these conflicts are unique in nature, they present similar challenges and opportunities. In the pursuit of these objectives, we should be encouraged by the dividends of political solution of Northern Island issue achieved through the Good Friday Agreement.
  4. I would underscore the need to strengthen democracies to create an all inclusive environment of support to fight the menace of terrorism. It helps to isolate those who promote their cause through force instead of debate and dialogue. It promotes the sense of social participation and mainstreams the fringe elements.
  5. The sinister terrorist masterminds take pains to identify and sabotage nascent friendships. If we succumb to their designs and actions, they repeat their actions. If we get closer after the destructive actions, they are discouraged. A consistent pattern of response based on divisions will not only expose our weakness but encourage the evil. Taking it as an important element of a counter-terrorism strategy, we need to stand united in the hour of crisis to further cement the relationships aimed at fighting this menace.
  6. For the long term solution of international terrorism and security issues we need to look into all root causes of international terrorism and security related issues. These issues have been covered in the UN global terrorism strategy which was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly. We need to implement the strategy in a balanced and comprehensive manner.
  7. Last, but not the least, we have to sincerely and effectively address capacity building needs of the partner countries. A partnership in which we are reluctant to share critical equipment and technologies will lack trust. This will amount to disarming those fighting against terrorists. This could not only result into undesired casualties, but would also prolong the war.

I thank you Mr. President