News
Sunday, May 04, 2008
No talks or compromises with terrorists: Qureshi
* Japanese foreign minister tells Pakistani counterpart Japan will assist country in socio-economic dimension of anti-terror strategy
By Sajjad Malik
ISLAMABAD: The government will not negotiate or make compromises with terrorists, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Saturday. “The Pakistani nation has reached a consensus that they will not negotiate or make compromises with terrorists, to protect national interests,” the minister told a joint press conference, along with his Japanese counterpart Masahiko Koumura. Qureshi said talks would only be held with those who wanted peace and were ready to help the government bring stability in the region by ending poverty. He said, “We will only engage with those people who can be our partners in bringing peace to the region,” he said. Support: Koumura supported the government’s multi-pronged strategy to end terrorism, and said Japan would assist in the socio-economic aspect of the strategy. Responding to questions, he said the new government of Pakistan would not tolerate terrorists, adding that Islamabad had informed him that talks would not be initiated with terrorists operating from the Tribal Areas. Koumura said Japan had helped Pakistan in its democratic transition by providing transparent ballot boxes and sending election observers for the February 18 polls. He said Japan would try to persuade the G-8 group of nations to help Pakistan in developing the Tribal Areas. Both the ministers also signed the ‘exchange of notes’ under which Japan pledged to give Pakistan $480 million in soft term loans to stabilise economy. Both sides also agreed to increase bilateral trade from its present $2 billion. The Japanese FM also visited President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for discussions.
Courtesy Daily Times