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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (49029)	9/6/2005 6:12:03 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

Pakistan had clandestine links with Israel for past decade: Kasuri * Foreign minister says contact meant to strengthen Pakistan’s lobbying power ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said on Monday that Pakistan had clandestine contacts with Israel for the past decade, but met publicly with the Jewish state for the first time in Istanbul on September 1. Talking to journalists following a Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs meeting, he said the contact was meant to strengthen Pakistan’s lobbying power at forums. Kasuri said Pakistan appreciated Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza Strip, but the time was not right to recognise Israel. The meeting between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Israeli Prime Minister Arial Sharon was not yet on the cards, he said, adding however Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would meet on September 14. He had also briefed the standing committee on his meeting with the Israeli foreign minister, he said. Earlier, during the standing committee meeting, Kasuri told the participants that there was no change in Pakistan’s position on Israel. Kasuri said his meeting with the Israeli foreign minister was no way close to recognising Israel and any decision in this regard would be taken in Pakistan’s national interest after consulting parliament. The committee expressed its satisfaction over the recent developments, saying Pakistan was in a position to play a role in view of its growing stature in the international community and Muslim community. The committee expressed concern over being ignored with regard to the Pakistan-Israel meeting and urged Kasuri to take parliament and its committees into confidence before initiating any process. Kasuri told the committee that the meeting was arranged in hurry after the Israeli withdrawal. He said Pakistan would hold further talks with Israel on positive developments in the region. “Israel is very effective in the region and can play an important role in resolving Kashmir because of its influence with India,” he added. The committee also asked Kasuri not to give any further concessions to India till the latter also moved forward. Later, Kasuri told reporters at a reception at the Foreign Office that Pakistan had sought Israeli help in facilitating the visit of a Pakistani delegation to Palestine next month, NNI reported. Kasuri also said Pakistan favoured the meeting between Kashmiri leaders and Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. staff report