PAKISTAN

ADDRESS BY THE CHIEF ]EXECUTIVE OF PAKISTAN GENERAL PERVEZ MUSHARRAF

AT THE MILLENNIUM SUMMIT OF THE UNITED NATIONS

6TH SEPTEMBER 2000

Bismillah

Mr. President,

Mr. Secretary General,

Excellencies,

We are passing through momentous times in the history of mankind. Just as every dawn inspires fresh hope; a new moon is an occasion for prayer; new year for resolutions; so also the turn of the new millennium kindles hope for the future among humanity. For the first time in history, vistas are in sight for sufficiency and freedom from want.

In the last century blossoming of human ingenuity brought about a massive global transformation. However, the most remarkable achievement has been the formation of the United Nations, to uphold the ideals of justice, peace and prosperity.

This August body has resolved many major disputes and conflicts. In recent years UN intervention arrested massive human tragedies in Bosnia and Kosovo. Where-ever there has been a departure from the UN Charter and defiance of UN decisions, disputes have festered, often leading to conflict. Of these, Kashmir and Palestine are the two prime examples, but with a difference. Whereas the international community and this world body are seriously engaged in finding a solution to the Palestine issue, Kashmir cries for justice even after 52 years.

Mr. President,

Pakistan is located in the world's most volatile region where one-fifth of humanity lives in a state of economic deprivation. While the global trend is for economic progress through regional cooperation, South Asia is embroiled in conflict. Why this tragedy? Only because the people of Kashmir remain deprived of justice. The consequence of this injustice has been four wars. The region stands heavily militarized, even nuclearized. This situation is certainly not of Pakistan's making. We have been obliged to respond to the compulsions of our security and have merely acted in self defence.

Kashmir, the root cause of tension, has to be resolved. Ten million people of the state cannot be denied their fundamental right to self-determination. The savage brutalities and killing of seventy thousand people by seven hundred thousand troops have only hardened their resolve. They seek honouring of the pledges made to them by the United Nations. If the people of East Timor could be given their. freedom, why not the people of Kashmir? When one party to a dispute is intransigent in rejecting the use, of peaceful means,, the Security Council is empowered to act. The problem lies not in the Charter but in the lack of political will. Until we produce that will, all talk of crisis prevention and dispute resolution will ring hollow.

Pakistan stands for peace and is prepared to take bold initiatives to change the status quo through a dialogue with India at any level, at any time and any where. Let me commit at this World Forum, that we desire a No War Pact; we are ready for a mutual reduction of forces; and we also seek a South Asia free from all nuclear weapons. Pakistan shall not be drawn into an arms race, nuclear or conventional, irrespective of provocation.

Mr. President,

Pakistan remains conscious of international concern for democracy. Our founding father, the Quaid-e-Azam, envisioned Pakistan as a modem Islamic state, committed to democracy based on equality, freedom and social justice. The people of Pakistan have never lost faith in democracy. But autocracy in the garb of democracy led to dishonest governance and the collapse of institutions. We stand sincerely committed to rebuilding and strengthening the institutions of state to give the country genuine and durable democracy.

Mr. President,

A particularly dark aspect of the misrule damaging democracy in Pakistan has been corruption. Paradoxically, we have heard long lectures on democracy from countries which have laws that actually encourage corruption, by giving ready asylum to plunderers, and facilities for concealment of illicit wealth in secret accounts in their banks. Such transfers will not make them much richer but the poor will certainly become much poorer.

Corruption is a transnational crime that calls for concerted international action. The United Nations should call for banning the transfers of ill gotten wealth and demand cooperation in tracing and repatriating such funds.

The best assurance for the consolidation of global peace lies in the economic development and prosperity of all regions and all peoples. Economic progress in one region supports and complements prosperity in the other. The process of globalization and trade liberalization had raised hopes, but has caused disappointment. Global trade regimes make the rich North richer, and the poor South poorer. This imbalance will further crush the developing countries under the increased burden of debt. The North, may I caution, cannot remain unaffected and will eventually get sucked into this vortex. The developing world needs the understanding and cooperation of creditor states and international financial institutions to dig themselves out from under this huge mountain of debt.

Mr. President,

Pakistan will continue to work with other nations for a more effective and just United Nations, capable of rising above narrow interests to serve the greater cause of humanity. May the new Millennium bring justice, peace and prosperity to all Nations of the world.

I thank you.