Musharraf Hints at Kashmir Solution Earlier than Expected   
'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

MADRID (Spain): President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said the world may see the resolution of Kashmir dispute earlier than expected. “A reasonable progress on this account (Kashmir issue has already been achieved,” President Musharraf said while addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Congress.

President Musharraf said military option was not the answer to the problem and the option of using force to settle bilateral disputes between Pakistan and India never worked in the past.

He said people of both the countries wanted peace and harmony in order to utilize resources and energies on the socio-economic sector.

The President explained Pakistan’s position on various regional and international issues.

He emphasized the need for the world to deal with crucial issues like terrorism.

Replying to a question on efforts by Pakistan and India to bring peace to South Asia, the President said the two countries had taken several Confidence Building Measures.

However, the President said the CBMs alone would not be enough to achieve the objective of peace and normalization of relations between Pakistan and India.

The two countries must move towards conflict resolution, the President emphasized.

He termed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a credible leader and a man of peace who supported Pakistan’s strong desire for the settlement of the Kashmir issue considering it a main cause of tension.

Replying to a question regarding political process in Pakistan, President Musharraf said elections would be held this year on time.

The President said he strongly believed in bringing democracy from top to grass roots level by empowering the people to run the affairs.

He also spoke about Pakistan’s efforts towards peace in Afghanistan and also acceptance of the offer by Turkish Prime Minister to hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Ankara later this week.

About Iran’s nuclear issue, the President said Pakistan was looking forward to a peaceful resolution of the problem.

Earlier on arrival at the Spanish Parliament House, President Musharraf was received by the President of the Congress Manuel Maril.

Maril said that President Musharraf was the first Pakistani leader who had been honoured to address the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Pak-Spanish Goodwill

Meanwhile, speaking at a banquet hosted in his honour by Spanish King Juan Carlos here lastnight, President Pervez Musharraf emphasised the need for translating the tremendous goodwill and mutual respect between the people of Pakistan and Spain into substance to realise the true potential of cooperation in the field of trade and investment between the two countries.

The President said the two countries need to promote cultural, education, and people to people contacts in all fields to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation across a broad range of areas.

President Musharraf said, his visit to Spain is reflective of the mutual commitment to strengthen abiding friendship between the two countries and peoples.

The two countries enjoy excellent relations based on adherence to common values and principles and to the promotion of our mutual interests. He hoped that his visit will further strengthen friendship and lead to ever closer cooperation.

General Pervez Musharraf expressed his gratitude to the Spanish government for support and assistance following the earthquake in 2005.

He said despite external and internal challenges, Pakistan has been transformed into a dynamic and progressive nation and it is rapidly on the path of peace and prosperity in line with the vision of its founding father who wanted the country to be modern, progressive and forward looking.

The President said Pakistan's unique geo-strategic location was being utilised to build trade, energy and communication hubs linking South Asia, West Asia, Central Asia and China.

He hoped that regional integration will accelerate economic growth and prosperity in the world.

About South Asia, he said Pakistan was building an environment of peace and stability and was engaged in a composite dialogue with India for confidence building and resolving all outstanding issues including Kashmir dispute which has been the source of tension and conflict between the two countries. He stressed that success of the peace process is vital for the future of both countries and for peace in South Asia.

The President said Pakistan has vital interest in Afghanistan's stability. He said together with international community and the western world we want to address the many complex problems facing Afghanistan including the resurgence of extremism.

He said Pakistan and Spain have been the victimsof wanton terrorism and destiny has also placedPakistan in the frontline of the global war against
terrorism.

He said Pakistan's role in the fight against terrorism is second to none and it fully cooperated with international community to eliminate this menace. He said the phenomenon of terrorism can only be addressed effectively if we understand its root causes.

General Pervez Musharraf said the strategy of enlightened moderation mooted by him and Alliance of Civilization put forward by Spain are mutually supportive concepts to combat extremism and bridge cultural and social barriers.

He said unless the foreign occupation and suppression of Muslim peoples ends, terrorism and extremism will continue to find recruits among alienated Muslims in various parts of the world.

It is imperative to end racial and religious discrimination against Muslims and prohibit any one from defaming the great religion which enjoins peace, harmony and brotherhood.

He said Pakistan looks forward to working ith you in promoting inter-faith harmony and in fighting the scourge of terrorism.

The President also referred to the famous poem 'Masjid Qurtaba' written by Dr. Allama Mohammad Iqbal after his visit to Cordoba.

Spanish King

Spanish King Juan Carlos said Spain, being a member of European Union has been paying attention to the political process in Pakistan, hoping it would lead to a better future of their people.

While expressing his country's keen interest for peace and prosperity of Pakistan, King Juan Carlos said, "Pakistan has Spain's support for its presidential and legislative elections to be held this year."

He was speaking at a banquet hosted in the honour of President Pervez Musharraf and members of his entourage at the Royal Palace here lastnight.

About peace in South Asia, King Carlos said Spain followed with great interest the process of dialogue between Pakistan and India, which he added is the cornerstone to the stability and progress of the region.

He noted that since birth of the two countries,this conflict has complicated the lives of the people inhabiting these two "Great States".

"We support the peace process and the efforts of the leaders on both sides to generate confidence, with the encouragement of the international community, to overcome the differences that still separate them," he added.

King Juan Carlos further said his country is following with interest the advances of Pakistan's economy, as well as the development projects for new infrastructures, and the scheduled investments in education and training.

He expressed his confidence that the visit of President Musharraf will enable them to strengthen relations for the good of their peoples and to better face the challenges of the present and the future.

The visit, he added also reflects the development of political and diplomatic relations and great progress in the quality of our cooperative links, both in bilateral sphere and in that of the United Nations. He said Spain has great esteem and respect for Pakistan and its people.

Spain is following with particular interest the situation in South Asia and Central Asia where it is working with international community and invaluable help and support of Pakistan to achieve stability and development of Afghanistan. He said both the countries share the commitment to combat the scourge of terrorism and illegal immigration, drug trafficking and organized crime.

King Juan Carlos Spain is following with interest the advances of Pakistan's economy as well as the development projects for new infrastructure and hoped that Spanish business community may increasingly contribute to Pakistan's modernisation efforts thus reinforcing bilateral ties.

He praised the President for his efforts to promote the condition of women and most vulnerable groups of society which he said is one of the focal point of his presidency.

Paying tributes to the Pakistani leadership, King Carlos said President Musharraf is a champion of a moderate and illustrated Islam that is tolerant and open to dialogue. He said this is also important because Pakistan occupies important position in the international community due to its demography and President's leadership as well as due to the political and diplomatic initiatives taken by him.

King Juan Carlos said the two countries share common criteria and ambitions for reforming the UN system and adapting it to the necessities of today's world.

He hoped that relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan will attain the degree of goodwill that is required for the stabilization and development of Afghanistan.

About links between the European Union and Pakistan which are now being developed with the entry into force of the Third Generation Agreement, the King hoped that it will be possible to address all the topics and questions on the bilateral agenda.

The banquet was attended by Prime Minister JoseRodriguez Zapatero, Crown Prince Philip, members of President's delegation, members of the Spanish cabinet, parliamentarians and prominent Spanish personalities.●