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Pakistan
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,
Pakistan wishes to extend feelings of good will and cooperation to our most notable President and fellow delegates. 1998 has already proved to be an eventful year thus far, and Pakistan hopes that the United Nations will make great strides in resolving conflicts and aiding countries in need.
It is important that delegates realize the potential power of this peacekeeping body. With the continuing support of its members, Pakistan believes the UN can accomplish many things. We, as representatives of the world, must keep the interests of the suffering and oppressed at heart.
Pakistan has experienced hardship and injustice, and is dedicated to improving internal and world conflicts. Our great leaders, President Mohammed Rafiq Tarar and Prime Minister Sharif have made great strides in restoring democratic order and continue to work on economic improvement.
The international body of the United Nations, in cooperation with the leaders of our individual countries, has the potential to break down barriers in the name of peace and justice.
UN Policies and Reform
Mr. President,
Pakistan has worked closely with various UN bodies that have aided in our county’s growth. The Country Strategy Note (or CSN), which was outlined in UN General Resolution 47/199 worked with UN Development Agencies to establish a systematized approach for UN to ensure a better response to national development priorities ( Overview of UN System in Pakistan, http://www.un.org.pk/overview.htm ). We are grateful to this involvement, and suggest that the CSN be used to further propose remedies for potential problems that could undermine the UN development effort.
The UN System in Pakistan advocates large budgetary increases to human development organizations such as the UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, UNFPA, and IFAD. Involvement of other institutions in our country would also be involved in the development process, and the Government of Pakistan and the UN System would expect to regularly review the progress of joint efforts in human development.
Pakistan believes that the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) should have an increased role in reforming the United Nations. The OIC Contact Group on UN Reforms and Security Council expansion has proven to make valuable contributions thus far, and Pakistan believes it would be beneficial if they met regularly (Statement by Foreign Minister of Pakistan at OIC Ministerial Coordination meeting, http://www.undp.org/missions/pakistan/10981001.htm ). This way the interests of Islamic countries would be fully protected in UN reform. Pakistan has great faith in the United Nations ability to create more equal representation in the various bodies, and will support any decision made.
On Terrorism
Mr. President,
Pakistan strongly deplores all acts of terrorism, and endorses efforts for creating an OIC Convention on Combating Terrorism. Islams and Muslims are often portrayed in an untruthful, slanderous manner concerning terrorism, and Pakistan would like to put those prejudices to rest. We ourselves have been the victims of state sponsored terrorism, and are eager to combat such things.
However, a distinction must be made between terrorism and the struggle of people under alien domination or foreign occupation for their right for self-determination. The UN must aid this situation make an effort to help those who have their autonomy and freedom under attack. (http://www.undp.org/missions/pakistan/10981001.htm )
On the Handling of Refugees
Mr. President,
Pakistan believes that refugees and other displaced persons should be provided protection and assistance under international law. We have personal experience with refugee problems, as we shelter 1.5 million Afghan’s who fled from their homeland. Pakistan has suffered to protect these people, and has found the International Community to be unsupportive in such matters. In the future, Pakistan believes that they should be taken care of by International Organizations to relieve other countries of the sole burden.
On Regional Conflicts
The Situation in Afghanistan
Mr. President,
The conflict in Afghanistan has been one of great distress to the Pakistani people, as the turmoil borders our country. It is Pakistan’s sincere hope that the restoration of peace comes to Afghanistan after decades of conflict. Following their Soviet occupation during the Cold War, the country has fallen into great despair. Pakistan has attempted to aid the situation numerous times, including in February of 1997, when Prime Minister Sharif launched an (unsuccessful) peace initiative. While we fully believe that military affairs of other countries are internal business, we feel that the international community cannot ignore this situation any longer.
Some government-sponsored media has attempted to accuse Pakistan of disrespecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is untrue- Pakistan recognizes the fact that Afghanistan is a fiercely independent nation. We do, however, believe that the United Nations should take on the role as mediator to more effectively make the lines of communication open between opposing parties. Pakistan also believes that the people of Afghanistan are in dire need of humanitarian supplies, and the United Nations must provide assistance without any pre-conditions.
Pakistan implores the international community to recognize the government of Kabul. The Afghanistan seat of the United Nations should be given to these true representatives of the people, and the Northern Afghanistan regime should cease to be present. (Statement by Representative of Pakistan to Security Council on Afghanistan August 3, 1998).
The US bombing of Afghanistan and Sudan
Mr. President,
Pakistan was outraged upon notification of the bombings of Afghanistan and Sudan. We feel that their sovereignty was violated by these acts. Although the US asserts that this was an attempt to curb danger, Pakistan feels that the bombing was an act of terrorism. At no time was there an initiation of conference talks before the violence was carried out. This could set a dangerous precedent of powerful nations committing terrorist acts in the name of global safety, because there is a very fine line between aggression and defense in such a situation. Pakistan respects the United State’s position as a global protector and mediator, but believes they must prevent such reckless acts in the future. (Statement by Foreign Minister of Pakistan in the Senate,August 21, 1998).
On the Situation in Africa
Mr. President,
Pakistan believes that the main cause of the problems in Africa is poverty, something which creates frustration, instability and conflict. We believe that the international community must call upon donor members to give aid to these people. We should invest in giving them a supportive economic environment where they are given priority access to the market for exports and preferential access to technology. Despite Pakistan’s own economic problems, we have had a Technical Assistance Program for Africa since the 80’s. If we don’t help these people, the conflict and unrest will only worsen. If donor nations do not pay now, the payment will come later on in the bloodshed of millions of people. (Statement by Representative of Pakistan to Security Council, April 24, 1998)
On the Status of Palestine
Mr. President,
Pakistan fully supports the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination and statehood. They have been repressed by the Israeli’s, and have had virtually all of their rights taken away. Palestinians deserve their own nation.
On the Situations in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Mr. President,
Pakistan is deeply concerned over the massacring of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo by the Serbs. 275,000 civilians have been driven from their homes to face starvation and death. Pakistan considers the actions of the Serbs to be a mass genocide of innocent people. The International community, namely the UN and the European Union, should take immediate action to end the repression of the ethnic Albanians and military occupation of Kosovo by the Serb forces. (Statement by Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Kosovo, October 8, 1998)
Mr. President,
Pakistan has similar feelings on the conflict in Bosnia. The ethnic cleansing that occurred was despicable, and we now call upon the international community to ensure the Serb’s compliance with the provisions of the Dayton Accords. (Statement by Representative of Pakistan to United Nations on Bosnia-Herzegovina, December 18, 1997).
On Kashmir
Mr. President,
As every delegate well knows, the Kashmiri conflict has been one of great trouble and heartbreak to Pakistan. Since 1947, India has brutally denied the people of Kashmir their basic humanitarian rights. Pakistan has fought two wars for Kashmir, and continues to stand by our commitment to support their right for self-determination ( "Pakistan", The Europa World Yearbook. Pg 2611)
There have been six Security Council resolutions guaranteeing Kashmiris self-determination, yet there is a lack of commitment for seeing the resolutions through. The international community cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of the Kashmiris any longer. The lack of action is not only hurting them, but also the people of Palestine, of Bosnia, of Kosovo, of all oppressed minorities. A precedent of non-action is being set while history goes about repeating itself in a destructive pattern. Instead, strong action should be taken to free the Kashmiris and such people, showing our children that we can learn from history. As one peace-fighter said "There can be no peace without a solution to the Kashmir problem." ("Daughters of the Kashmir Struggle", Benazir Bhutto)
On the Nuclear Arms Race
Mr. President,
A cause of great concern and worry to Pakistan, India, and the entire International Community has been the nuclear tests carried out this past May. Pakistan would like to assert that it was never the aggressor in the nuclear situation. India has long been the first to initiate attack , and this was no exception. In order to assure a balanced playing field in the India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan was forced to test their weapons out of self-defense. As our founding father Quaid-I-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah once said "The weak and defenseless in this imperfect world invite aggression from others. The best way in which we can serve the cause of peace is by removing the temptation from the path of those who think that we are weak, and therefore, they can bully or attack us. That temptation can only be removed if we make ourselves so strong that nobody dare to entertain any aggressive designs against us." (Message of Prime Minister on Independence Day, August 14, 1998).
Following the Indian tests, there was no condemnation from the world, only words of warning to Pakistan not to follow in their footsteps. With India’s increasingly belligerent attitude towards Pakistan and Kashmir, a nuclear test was Pakistan’s only option to restore a level playing field. (Statement by Foreign Minister at the Council on Foreign relation at New York, October 2, 1998).
Pakistan has shown it’s true colors following the two tests. It was the first nation to come forth and offer peace by opening up talks on signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. We hope to promote complete nuclear disarmament for all nations, and continue to support non-proliferation. Pakistan has heard the concern of other nations, and will continue to listen to the voice of reason.
Works Cited
"Foreign Relations of Pakistan". The Cambridge Encyclopedia of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Francis Robinson. Cambridge University Press, New York, Pg 249-255, 1989.
"Pakistan". The Europa World Yearbook. Vol II. Europa Publications Ltd. , London, UK. Pg. 2611-2641, 1998.
"Pakistan". The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World. John L. Esposito, Vol 3. Oxford University Press, New York. Pg 296-297, 1993.
"Daughters of the Kashmir Struggle". Benazir Bhutto. http://www.ppp.org.pk/kashmir/
Statements from http://www.un.org.pk/
MANY statements from http://www.org/missions/pakistan/