The Press Conference Addressed by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan and the Foreign Minister of Iran, Dr. Kamal Kharrazi,30 November, 2001 

Opening Statements  

The Foreign Minister’s opening statement:
Ladies and gentlemen of the media,  

I welcome you to this press conference which has been arranged to brief you about our meetings that have been held with His Excellency Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, Foreign Minster of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He also had an opportunity to meet President General Musharraf this morning. Members of his delegation, drawn from a large number of Ministries of the Islamic Republic of Iran had bilateral meetings with their counterparts in Pakistan. I am glad to state that in terms of our bilateral relations Foreign Minster Kharrazi’s visit has made a very substantial contribution to the development of our relations in various fields and the expansion of cooperation between us. His Excellency’s visit has of course provided an opportunity for us to discuss the obvious issues of great importance in our region, namely, developments in Afghanistan.

You are all well aware that Pakistan and Iran have supported the resolution of the Security Council of 14th November. Both of our countries sincerely hope that the Bonn meeting of the Afghans, which is in currently in progress, will achieve success towards the establishment of a transitional administration, that this administration will be, as envisaged in the resolution 1378, broad-based, multi-ethnic and fully representative of Afghan people and that this administration will be committed to peace with all neighbours. Both of us, in our meetings, have underlined the need for peaceful and stable Afghanistan which would be in the interest, of course, of its own people as well as of all the neighbours of Afghanistan. Pakistan and Iran have agreed to play a role, according to our capabilities, in facilitating the success of the efforts of the United Nations. We have reviewed entire range of bilateral relations and it was decided that necessary measures would be taken to enhance trade, particularly trade in wheat, rice and gasoline from Pakistan. We, over the last couple of years, have increased to double our imports from Iran and we are, of course, desirous to take advantage of the opportunities that exist for further expansion of cooperation to the mutual advantage of our two nations. The members of the Iranian delegation have held very productive meetings with their counterparts from the Pakistan side and I will request the Foreign Minister of Iran, His Excellency Dr. Kamal Kharrazi not only to share his own assessment of the visit with us but also to apprise you of the decisions that have been made. In conclusion, I wish to express our gratitude to His Excellency Dr. Kamal Kharrazi for accepting our invitation, coming here, and have substantive discussions with us and especially I want to thank him for the very important contribution that he has made to the further development of Pakistan-Iran relations.  

The Foreign Minister of Iran’s Statement

Thank you very much, Mr. Minister. As a matter of fact we have had very productive and fruitful discussions since yesterday. My visit was pre-planned before 11th of September but due to the developments on 11th of September and afterwards it was postponed to this one. I am very happy that I have made this visit and have very good opportunity to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional issues and Afghanistan. Iran and Pakistan are playing very important role in this region and the security of the region depends on the cooperation between Iran and Pakistan.

On bilateral issues we discussed defence and matters of economic cooperation. We have decided to establish a Joint Technical Committee to look up the projects of gas pipelines from Iran to Pakistan and through Pakistan to India. We have similar Technical Committee with India. Right now feasibility study is undergoing to see how feasible this project is and this will be taken to the Committee that we decided to establish, to do its best to facilitate this project of transit of gas through Pakistan. Also we decided to operate higher level of trade and business and to that extent, our experts are coming to Islamabad next Wednesday to talk to their counterparts on the conditions of wheat produced in Pakistan. If this meets the standard of Iranian markets then we can buy wheat from Pakistan. As well there have been negotiations to buy rice from Pakistan and also sugar if the quality of sugar produced in Iran could meet the needs. More than that with a high delegation which is accompanying me, from various sectors, Iranian private sectors, had a very good opportunity here to talk to their counterparts for investment in Pakistan, for doing projects jointly in Pakistan and for selling Railway cargo wagons to Pakistan. This is under discussion. And there has been a lot of activity since yesterday here. I hope that all this is to increase our level of trade and business between the two sides. More than that on bilateral cooperation we had very good discussions on how to cooperate in cultural fields and, I believe, Iran and Pakistan enjoy to have very rich culture, a common culture. I understand Farsi is very popular here, there are many Persian words in Urdu language. We share common heritage and learning Persian, certainly will facilitate your access to the heritage as people. There are many written Persian books in this country and to that extent have already an institution here, a joint institute between Iran and Pakistan to study about Iran and Pakistan’s cultural heritage. I am glad to inform you that Minister Sattar was prominent to facilitate the construction of a new building for this Institute which has been running here for years and years and has good collection of hand-written books collected from defence personnel of Pakistan to be preserved in this institution.

On the question of Afghanistan, we really had very good discussion. I believe after years of ups and downs, turmoil and problems that we all have faced from the developments in Afghanistan, now it is time to cooperate and to help the establishment of broad-based, multi-ethnic government in Afghanistan, and I am sure, Iran and Pakistan have a big role to play not only during the establishment of such a broad-based government and reconciliation between different parties in Afghanistan, different ethnic groups and the participation in a broad-based government, but also they have great responsibility for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Both Iran and Pakistan have suffered throughout all these years. To mention are the millions of refugees who have been living in Iran and Pakistan. Both Iran and Pakistan now are in need as to how to help them to reconstruct their country. Therefore, we decided to establish a joint committee for the Reconstruction of Afghanistan in cooperation with UNDP and other international organizations and other countries who can help Afghanistan to reconstruct. Both Iran and Pakistan are to help Afghanistan to be reconstructed. Therefore, in general we are happy out of this visit. We are entering into a new era of relationship between Iran and Pakistan. I am very hopeful and we look forward to see how these relations will be developing. Thank you.

Question –Answer Session

The following issues were discussed during the question-answer session:

Q. When asked if the American war against terrorism is turning as war against Islam, the Foreign Minister of Iran said:

A. Certainly, this is not acceptable. If any country would allow itself to attack another country just with allegations. This would be a chaos. I think, nobody in Islamic world or outside the Islamic world would accept this strategy if Americans are going to follow. Therefore, I leave it better for them to think twice that attacking any Muslim country. In the Islamic world it will help a heavy backfire. There is no excuse to justify any military operation in any other Islamic nation.

Q. When asked as to what he foresees role of Rabbani in the future set up of Afghanistan as well as his comments on the wishes of Rabbani to visit Pakistan, the Iranian Foreign Minister said:

A. The role of Mr. Rabbani for the future of Afghanistan will be decided by the Afghan people themselves to choose their leaders but visit of Mr. Rabbani to Islamabad certainly will be a gesture. I believe, we have to take steps for removing the clogs which have been created between Pakistanis and Afghans and therefore any contact between the Northern Alliance officials and leaders and Pakistani leaders would be welcome.

Foreign Minister Sattar added: In response to this issue. You are absolutely right. President Burhanuddin Rabbani made a statement, he wishes to visit Pakistan. I want to tell you also that we have received several other communications from other Afghan dignitaries inside and outside Afghanistan who have indicated their desire to visit Pakistan. We respect them all and we will respond to their desire in due course. At this time our eyes are fixed on the Bonn meeting and we hope that the Bonn meeting will contribute to the formation of a transitional administration and it is only after the success of that process that Pakistan will consider extending recognition to the authority on behalf of Afghanistan. Any visits prior to that which have taken place or may take place will not in any way signify recognition of these leaders in the capacity of their role in the future government.

Q. When asked to explain the position of Pakistan over possible attack by the US on Iraq and the US officials’ saying that Hizbullah group in Lebanon is a terrorist organization, the Foreign Minister said:

A. The first thing I want to tell is that we have in our discussions with the United States, never received any indication or even a mention of the possibility of United States or coalition attacks on any other country. Our position has been stated by the President in the United Nations General Assembly namely that terrorism cannot be equated with Islam and therefore any attempt that is made to generalize the issue of terrorism in a way that reflects on Islam would be unacceptable to us. Now on this specific issue, as I have already said, we have absolutely no information that United States has any such plans, both on Iraq and Hizbullah, as you mentioned. I said we have never heard any mention of either in our discussions with the United States.

Q. When asked to tell about his meeting with President Musharraf this morning and how much will it affect the change of policy towards Pakistan, the Iranian Foreign Minister said:

A. As there is a change of policy of Pakistan towards the Taliban, there is no more gaps between Iran and Pakistan. That is why I say that both Iran and Pakistan have to play their role for the establishment of a broad-based government in Afghanistan, as well for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. That is why we have decided to establish a Joint Committee for Reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The Foreign Minister continued: I just want to add one point that many countries including our very good friends historically exaggerated Pakistan’s influence over the Taliban government. I think, a number of events have taken place during this year. I refer particularly to the decision of the Taliban to destroy the statues in Bamiyan which illustrated that Pakistan did not have the kind of influence that some of our friends attributed to Pakistan with regard to the Taliban government. Similarly in the month of September the Government of Pakistan sent a very high level delegation to Kabul and Kandahar to share with them our views with regard to the compliance with Security Council resolution of September 12 and once again the results illustrated that assumptions with regard to Pakistan’s influence over the Taliban were incorrect. This is a matter, however, in the past. The Taliban are no longer on the scene and Pakistan and Iran today ripped off the shadow that existed on our relations. Sun is shining and Insha-Ullah, we shall take full advantage in order to develop and intensify our bilateral cooperation.

Q. To a question that whether the political differences between Pakistan and Iran on the subject of Afghanistan are now over, the Iranian Foreign Minister commented:

A. Countries do have minor differences, no question over that. I believe, major differences have now been over and that is why we are planning for cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. Because of recent differences in recent years which had created such a gap between Iran and Pakistan. Now that the issues are over, so we have to speed up the process of cooperation between Iran and Pakistan.

Q. To a question that Pakistan has been very open to give help to coalition partners, what has been Iran’s role in the fight against terrorism, the Iranian Foreign Minister said:

A. We have been alert to fight terrorism based on our peace efforts that has been the part of this coalition with the United States, from the beginning that any effort that has to be undertaken under the auspices of the United Nations has to be with consensus. On our part, in terms of implementation of resolution 1373 as well as in fighting terrorism, as you know, Iran has been one of the victims of terrorism all 26 years since the revolution and we closed our border with Afghanistan to prevent any movement from Iran to Afghanistan or from Afghanistan to Iran. And this has been appreciated internationally.

Q. To a question whether the Great Britain’s troops have entered Pakistan, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan said:

A. I will check and then give you response later. At present, unfortunately, I don’t have any information on this question whether the UK forces entered into Pakistan territory.

Q. To a question whether the US forces will stay for a long time in the region, the Foreign Minister of Iran said:

A. We do not find it productive for American troops will stay in Afghanistan. Basically we are against deployment of foreign troops in Afghanistan. It is a very sensitive issue. American troops should not be deployed. Instead efforts should be made to establish a national police and army for the country.

Q. When asked about his government views on the so-called establishment of peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan especially after the incident of Qilla Jangi and on the future of ECO in the context of Iran-Pakistan relations, the Iranian Foreign Minister said:

A. If the United Nations would decide to deploy United Nations Observers to monitor the situation in Afghanistan that is something else, very different from multi-national forces to be deployed in Afghanistan. In case of Qilla Jangi events it was unfortunate that such a thing happened. It was against Geneva Conventions and American airplanes and helicopters’ bombardment is not acceptable. We took position in Iran and condemned this. Any prisoner of war which has been under custody has to be respected as human being. Of course, if they have indulged in crimes they should be brought to justice but killing prisoners is a crime. ECO is developing gradually, and I believe, it is a very good organization for this region and , I am sure, for Afghanistan it can be very helpful. So, how we can mobilize the ECO potentials for the Afghans and its future especially in era of reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Q. To a question if Osama enters Iran what would be Iran’s position, the Foreign Minister of Iran said:

A. We don’t let him to move towards Iran. We are there we don’t let him to move. Actually, they have to be in Iran to be arrested and when they are not in Iran we can’t arrest.

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan added: A reference was made, I think to multi-national force. The subject, as you know, is under discussion in Bonn and so far as the Government Pakistan is concerned we would wait for the outcome of that meeting and if the Afghans and the future transitional administration believe that a UN or multi-national force can assist them in establishing peace and stability in their country and prevent the kind of incidents that have taken place these reprisals that have been taken place then we would respect the wishes of the people of Afghanistan.

Q. When asked to explain about reports that two Taliban Ministers and intelligence chief are in Pakistan, the Foreign Minister said:

A. Unfortunately, I don’t have any information but we will get it and my colleague Additional Secretary Aziz Ahmed Khan will respond to that.

Q. To a question as to what will be the position of Iran if multi-national force is deployed in Afghanistan, the Iranian Foreign Minister said:

A. This is not the case that Afghans groups in Bonn about their acceptance on multi-national forces to be deployed to Afghanistan. I said this is very different from any United Nations observers. They may like to have United Nations observers, that is something else.

Q. To a question that if multinational force is deployed in Afghanistan, will Pakistan send its troops there, Pakistan Foreign Minister said:

A. Just to make reference to Pakistani troops, I just want to remind you that the Government of Pakistan has stated again and again that Pakistan has no intention of sending Pakistani forces outside into Afghanistan.

Q. To a question whether Pakistan will not invite the displeasure of Northern Alliance by making the wishes of Prof. Rabbani to visit Pakistan contingent upon the outcome of Bonn meeting, the Foreign Minister said:

A. I made three points. You lost sight of two of them, first of all I said Mr. Rabbani has publicly expressed the wish to visit Pakistan and secondly, I said that other Afghan dignitaries have done the same and thirdly, I said that while these people will come in due course, the question of recognition is not involved unless and until the Bonn process succeeds in producing a transitional administration. In other words, visit of Afghan dignitaries to Pakistan does not involve the issue of recognition of their status within Afghanistan.

Q. To a question whether Iran has decided to offer any support to the United States in fight against terrorism, the Iranian Foreign Minister said:

A. With regard to the cooperation with the United States, no there has not been any cooperation between Iran and the United States. The only thing which they ask was the case of pilots which may be dropped in Iranian territory in an accident of their aircraft. About which we said if that happens, under international conventions we will take care of this pilot. That was the only thing that was communicated between Iran and US. There was no more cooperation between Iran and the United States.

Q. To a question whether Iranian airplanes were chartered to bring in foreign troops inside Afghanistan, the Iranian Foreign Minister said:

A. No, that is not right. n

Reference:  http://www.forisb.org