Pakistan, Britain pursuing strategic partnership to address Radicalisation

http://www.pakistantimes.net/2006/11/20/top2.htm

By Sarah Kamal 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Britain a re pursuing a strategic partnership to address radicalisation through a series of measures including reconstruction, development, health and education.

This was stated by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and British counterpart Tony Blair while talking to reporters after a meeting here on Sunday.

The two leaders who had an exclusive one-on-one meeting followed by delegation level interaction reiterated their resolve to further strengthen their multi-faceted bilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Blair while underscoring the need to address the issue of international terrorism said both the countries were cooperating to defeat those elements bent upon disrupting world peace.

He said extremist influences were trying to pervert some minority of Muslims, all over the world, but was optimist of addressing the matter.

“What is important now is that we have a strategic partnership with Pakistan to take this on,” Blair said.

He said the legislation passed for greater protection of women in Pakistan, broad-based education and an improved economy were all helping in tackling the problem of radicalisation.

“There are those who are trying to radicalise young Muslims from around the world, but the important thing is that we are today working in an alliance to take that on, to defeat that, and that’s a big change,” Prime Minister Tony Blair said.

On whether the battle against terrorism was being won or lost, he said “you begin to win the battle when you begin to fight it, and of course when you fight it you get some blow back.”

He however said that Britain and Pakistan today have a relationship that they even could not have thought of having few years back.

“I can’t imagine the relationship we have with Pakistan today being one that we had few years back, and that’s because we see a common interest and progress is being made here is of immense benefit back in Britain as well.”

He said prior to 9/11 western world was ignorant of what was happening in different parts of the world. He said trends of extremism grew over a long period of time but added that it was only in the past few years, that the governments began to take on the issue.

Referring to what Prime Minister Aziz said in his address at the Princeton University, Blair said, one way to address the issue was through reconstruction and development and to solve the grievances that were being exploited and used to promote radicalism.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said extreme behaviour was not the exclusive preserve of any faith or geography.

“It is a challenge we all face and need to address it in a very serious manner.”

He said the whole world was engaged in fighting the scourge of terrorism to achieve a peaceful world.

“Terrorism and extreme behaviour stem from feeling of depravation and marginalisation,” he added.

He said there was a need to engage hearts and minds of the people to give them a sense of hope and to address the issues which face them.

He said the British assistance for Pakistan in health and education, trade and market access, would assist the country in addressing these issues by creating job opportunities.

He said it was also challenge for the world leaders to address these issues so that people do not feel marginalised and instead could collectively build an atmosphere of tranquility and prosperity.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz stressing the need for interfaith harmony called for bridging the gap between different faiths, cultures and civilisations.

He said Islam as a faith propagates peace and harmony and abhors violence.

He said this could be done as both sides were committed to do it.

Prime Minister Aziz when asked whether he discussed exit strategy for the foreign troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, he reiterated his call for a “well choreographed exit strategy”.

He said it need not be a “cut-and-run” one and may continue over several years, however the need for a strategy was essential to return the country to normalcy.

About Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was an important stakeholder and called for engaging all “visible and un-visible stakeholders”.

He said a strong, stable, vibrant Afghanistan was good for both its people and for the people of Pakistan. He said there were still three million refugees in Pakistan and wanted to see them return and live in peace.

About the Marshal plan, he said there was a need to see more development, starting of reforms, income generation and greater market access to help fight extreme behaviour.

Aziz said peace and prosperity were the cornerstone of Pakistan’s policy.

Prime Minister Blair said the key to exit strategy were that both Iraq and Afghanistan are capable of looking after their own affairs and its people are not brutally oppressed by dictatorships.

Blair agreed with Prime Minister Aziz in ensuring that there was a commitment to help its people stand on their own.

In case of Afghanistan, Blair said it was necessary to make sure that it is a proper partner for peace, progress and prosperity.

Prime Minister Aziz in his opening remarks said both the countries have historic relationships and thanked Britain for its support in education, healthcare and gender reform.

Appreciating the announcement of doubling of Pakistan’s aid, he said it will go a long way in meeting Pakistan’s ability to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and improving the lot of people.

He also pointed at the collaboration in security, defence, fighting terrorism and economic growth.

Aziz said the Pakistani diaspora in Britain was playing an important role in the economies of both the countries.

He said Pakistan was committed to peace with its neighbours in an atmosphere of tranquility and trust and was working with them to build a relationship that is win-win for all the sides.

Prime Minister Aziz pointed at the similarity of views on most issues and vowed to continue to create a more peaceful world.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair greeted Aziz on the passage of Women legislation and on the reforms in Pakistan.

“We are very happy to double our support for Pakistan to some 480 million pounds in next three years and will support the program of change in Pakistan.”

Prime Minister Blair said he was pleased to see a very optimist and positive Pakistan today and both the countries were cooperating in a host of areas.

Exclusive Meeting
Earlier the two leaders in their exclusive meeting discussed ways and means to further expand cooperation in wide ranging areas.

Prime Minister Aziz informed him about the ongoing Composite dialogue process with India and said that Pakistan favoured resolution of the Kashmir dispute according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He said Pakistan believed in dispute resolution instead of conflict management to bring lasting peace to the region.

He also sought Prime Minister Blair’s help in restarting the Doha round of talks.

About Afghanistan, he pointed at the increase in poppy cultivation and called for provision of alternative sources of income for the farmers.

He said Pakistan was endeavouring to register the Afghan refugees based in Pakistan and wished them to return honourably in a organised manner to their homes, where they can earn a respectable income.

The two leaders also pointed at the need of having greater interfaith harmony and greater interaction amongst people of all faith for more peaceful coexistence.

The British delegation included Sir Nigel Sheinwal Foreign Policy Adviser, Sir Mark Lyall Grant British High Commissioner and Yusaf Samiullah of Head DFID Pakistan.

The Pakistan side included Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao Minister for Interior, Dr. Salman Shah Advisor to PM on Finance, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Tariq Azim, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Riaz Muhammad Khan Secretary Foreign Affairs, Zamir Akram Additional Secretary (FA), Ms Maleeha Lodhi Pakistan’s High Commission to the United Kingdom.