Musharraf says he’s not scared of opposition
Photo: AFP
Musharraf: Contacts with Israel 'positive'
Pakistani leader says he is not scared of opposition, downplays significance of handshake with Sharon
Contacts between Pakistan and Israel are a positive development, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in weekend interviews to the two most influential Arab-language newspapers, both based in London, al-Sharq al-Awsat and al-Hayat.
In one interview, the Pakistani leader said he is unconcerned about opposition reaction to the diplomatic contacts with Israel, while in another interview he stressed his country will only recognize Israel once it is “200 percent certain” a Palestinian state will be established.
At the same time, Musharraf made sure to reject any euphoria regarding his handshake with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at the United Nations earlier this week.
Historic Handshake
Attila Somfalvi, New York
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf approaches Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, shakes his hand and introduces his wife to the prime minister during U.N. summit
In the interview with al-Sharq al-Awsat, Musharraf attempted to downplay the political significance of his brief encounter with Sharon.
“I don’t think it has political significance,” he said. “We stood in the same hall where hundreds of people were standing. Sharon approached with his delegation…shook everyone’s hand and my hand too. What is the political significance of that? I don’t know.”
“Our intentions are very clear and we want to support the Palestinian problem,” Musharraf added. “We want to try and influence Israel for the benefit of establishing a Palestinian state. If we don’t have ties with Israel, we’d have no role to play in the matter of establishing a Palestinian state, but if we talk to them, we could at the very least assist with this problem, exert pressure, and use our influence to push Israel to make progress in finding a solution.”
The Pakistani leader also noted that the disengagement is a positive step in the direction of peace.
“I believe the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza is a good initiative,” he said.
‘You’re on a collusion course’
When asked whether he was afraid that Pakistan’s new openness toward Israel would arouse the fury of Islamic elements inside and outside Pakistan, Musharraf said he did not think the diplomatic moves would frustrate opposition groups.
“I am not a person who is afraid of the opposition,” he said. “This crucial stage (of contacts with Israel) is positive and not negative. The process is moving in a direction of a solution because everyone understands the Palestine problem must be resolved. The Americans understand this just as the Israelis and Palestinians understand this.”
In his interview with al-Hayat, Musharraf adopted a more cautious tone, saying that “as long as we aren’t 200 percent certain a Palestinian state would be established, we’ll never recognize Israel.”
The Pakistani president added that as long as PM Sharon continues to maintain Jerusalem will remain Israel’s eternal capital, he will tell the Israeli leader: “You’re on a collusion course, we’ll never recognize you.”
