|
Text of speech of Pakistan Prime Minister in NA on
Abbottabad incident – defends ISI blames US.
Following is
text of the speech of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in the National
Assembly on the Abbottabad incident:
From the floor of this August House, I wish to take the nation into
confidence on the situation arising from the Abbottabad operation and the death
of Osama bin Laden.
Early morning,
the same day I had extensive consultations with President Zardari, Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs, the Chief of Army Staff, Director General ISI and
other important stakeholders on issues relating to Pakistan’s national
security. The government’s position on the Abbottabad operation and death of
Osama bin Laden as enunciated in the official statements was based on extensive
inter-agency and inter-departmental consultation process.
In today’s age of information explosion, it is important to sift
facts from fiction. Very often it is the virtual or the media reality that obscures
the actual. Yet, truth cannot for long be submerged in falsehood. Fascination
for high drama sometimes makes us forget the sequence and context of fast
moving events that are splashed on television screens. However, every
development has a context. Its correct appreciation requires a dispassionate
view of history. It is well-known that those who forget history are condemned
to relive it. Some of the recent public discourse; narratives and counter
narratives, in talk shows and public comments have missed some essential
points. Reaffirmation is necessary. Let there be no doubt, Pakistan is a proud
nation. Our people value their honour and dignity. Our nation is resilient. Our
real strength is our people and our state institutions.
We are all united and fully committed to sparing no sacrifice to
uphold our national dignity and honour; to safeguard our supreme national
interests by all means and all resources at our command. No other nation has
successfully met so many challenges. No other people have been put to so many
tests by history and by circumstances of geography and geopolitics. No other
nation has borne the collective burden of the international community. Our
nation has met all these challenges with supreme confidence, which is borne out
of our firm belief in the noble injunctions of our glorious religion Islam, our
societal values, our culture and traditions.
Ever since our independence, Pakistan stood up for our values which
are also universal: freedom, dignity, equality, tolerance, humanity, harmony
and brotherhood. Pakistan’s foreign policy has always reflected our national
ethos which, undoubtedly, transcends considerations of narrow interests or
politics of expediency. Pakistan is not only a state but an idea and an ideal
that our courageous and talented people strive, in their daily lives, to
translate into reality. Our democratic and pluralistic polity as epitomized by
this august House, state institutions, free press, open and intense public
discourse are, indeed, our great strengths. Our friends can from this discourse
fathom the depth of our sentiments, the aspirations of our people, the
authentic spirit that guides and inspires them to seek equity, justice,
security, peace, progress and prosperity.
For over thirty years, Pakistan was impacted by the conflict and
strife in Afghanistan. In that struggle we, together with the rest of world,
decided to uphold the principle of self-determination for the great Afghan
nation. We opened our homes and our hearts to those who fled the conflict in
Afghanistan and also supported the great Jihad. I talk of a bygone era.
However, it is perhaps necessary to remind everyone about that era which has
been so well documented including in the CNN series on the Cold War showing
video footage of high ranking US officials exhorting the Afghans and Mujahideen
to wage Jihad, to go back to their homes, to go back to their mosques, in the
name of Islam and as a national duty.
For us, all of this was real. We have continued to suffer from its
effects.It’s necessary for us to remind the international community of the
decade of the nineties which saw the Arab volunteers, who had joined the Jihad
mutate into Al-Qaeda. Who was responsible for the birth of Al-Qaeda? Who was
responsible for making the myth of Osama bin Laden? To find answers to today’s
question, it is necessary to revisit the not so distant past. Collectively, we
must acknowledge facts and see our faces in the mirror of history. Pakistan
alone cannot be held to account for flawed policies and blunders of others. Pakistan
is not the birth place of Al-Qaeda. We did not invite Osama bin Laden to
Pakistan or even to Afghanistan. It is fair to ask who was Osama bin Laden and
what did he personify?
Osama bin Laden was the most wanted terrorist and enemy number one
of the civilized world. Elimination of Osama bin Laden, who launched waves
after waves of terrorist attacks against innocent Pakistanis, is indeed justice
done. However, we are not so na‹ve to declare victory; mission accomplished,
and turn around. The myth and legacy of Osama bin Laden remains to be
demolished. The anger and frustration of ordinary people over injustice,
oppression and tyranny that he sought to harness to fuel the fire of terrorism
in the world, needs to be addressed.
Otherwise, this rage will find new ways of expression.
Pakistan believes in democracy and pluralism. A society that strives
for equality and dignity. An open and transparent society is undoubtedly
essential for addressing the rage and anger arising from political or economic
injustices. When we say that in this war against terrorism, Pakistan has lost
some 30,000 men, women and children and more than 5,000 armed forces personnel,
billions of dollars lost as economic costs; we do not intend to put a price or
seek acknowledgement or recognition from any one. The war against terrorism is
our own national priority. Our nation is united in its resolve to eliminate
terrorism from our sacred land. Pakistan will not relent in this national cause
and is determined not to allow its soil to be used by any one for terrorism.
This national consensus was built by our democracy, this Parliament,
and the entire political leadership of this country. Our patriotic citizens and
State institutions are all united in their resolve to prosecute this campaign
against terror to its logical end. We will utilize all means and resources and
Insha Allah succeed. Mr Speaker, Now, let me briefly retrace the first decade
of new millennium. International forces marched into Afghanistan to dismantle
the Taliban regime after 9/11. In fact, Taliban had already left Kabul and
taken along Al-Qaeda to their hideouts in Afghanistan. The Tora Bora bombings
resulted in the dispersal of Al-Qaeda.
Even at that time we had cautioned the international forces on the consequences
of a flawed military campaign that could lead to the dispersal of Al-Qaeda.
Al-Qaeda leaders and foot soldiers sought hideouts everywhere, in the
mountains, and deep inside cities, including Pakistan. We did not invite
Al-Qaeda to Pakistan. In fact, for the first time, our armed forces were
deployed in the Tirah Valley to form a security cordon to interdict Al-Qaeda
during the Tora Bora bombings. In that operation 248 Al-Qaeda members were
captured by our armed forces. Subsequently, Pakistan’s Inter Services
Intelligence prosecuted the anti-terror strategy with a high degree of
professionalism and superb determination.
In fact, some 40 of the key Al-Qaeda operatives, including Chief
Operation Officer Faraj Al Libbi and Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, the master planner
of 9/11, were captured by the ISI. Pakistan’s armed forces also carried out
successful operations in Swat, Malakand, South Waziristan, Mohmand and Bajour
Agencies against terrorists and militants. No other country in the world and no
other security agency has done so much to interdict Al-Qaeda than the ISI and
our armed forces. This was done with the full support of the nation and in
accordance with the political will articulated by the Parliament of Pakistan.
It is disingenuous for anyone to blame Pakistan or State
institutions of Pakistan, including the ISI and the armed forces, for being in
cahoots with the Al-Qaeda. It was Al-Qaeda and its affiliates that carried out
hundreds of suicide bombings in nearly every town and city of Pakistan and also
targeted political leaders, State institutions, the ISI and the General
Headquarters. The obvious question that
has vexed everyone is how could Osama bin Laden hide in plain sight in the
scenic surroundings of Abbottabad. Let’s
not rush to judgment. Allegations of complicity or incompetence are absurd. We
emphatically reject such accusations. Speculative narratives in the public
domain are meant to create despondency.
We will not allow our detractors to succeed in offloading their own
shortcomings and errors of omission and commission in a blame game that
stigmatizes Pakistan. This issue of the hideout needs a rational answer. Recrimination
and misplaced rhetoric is self defeating. Yes, there has been an intelligence
failure. It is not only ours but of all the intelligence agencies of the
world. The Al-Qaeda chief along with other Al-Qaeda
operators had managed to elude global intelligence agencies for a long time. He
was constantly being tracked not only by the ISI but also by other intelligence
agencies.
It was the ISI that passed key leads to CIA that enabled the US
intelligence to use superior technological assets and focus on the area in
which Osama bin Laden was eventually found. All this has been explained in the
statements issued by the Foreign Ministry and the ISPR as well as in the
detailed briefing by the Foreign Ministry. Asymmetrical warfare happens to be
the tool in vogue against superior conventional forces. Terrorism falls in that category. Osama Bin Laden used terror for whatever
cause that he espoused. Hiding in plain
sight, as is evident in this case, is perhaps another technique that could be
attributed to Osama Bin Laden in the realm of asymmetrical intelligence.
Nonetheless, we are determined to get to the bottom of how, when and
why about OBL’s presence in Abbottabad. An investigation has been ordered. Our
people are rightly incensed on the issue of violation of sovereignty as
typified by the covert US air and ground assault on the Osama hideout in
Abbottabad. This has raised questions about Pakistan’s defence capability and
the security of our strategic assets. As the Abbottabad episode illustrates our
military responded to the US forces covert incursion. The Air Force was ordered
to scramble. Ground units arrived at the scene quickly. Our response
demonstrates that our armed forces reacted, as was expected of them.
Abbottabad hosts a routine military training institution, which does
not require any elaborate special defence arrangement. There is no denying the US technological
ability to evade our radars. We regret that this unilateral action was
undertaken without our concurrence. Unilateralism runs the inherent risk of
serious consequences. Suppose the
operation had gone wrong. A US helicopter was abandoned and destroyed on the
site. This is a small though important reminder of the risks in such
operations. Let no one draw any wrong
conclusions. Any attack against Pakistan’s strategic assets whether overt or
covert will find a matching response. Pakistan reserves the right to retaliate
with full force. No one should underestimate the resolve and capability of our
nation and armed forces to defend our sacred homeland.
There are of course legal and moral issues that relate to the
question of sovereignty. In a generic sense this is a question that continues
to vex the international community as a whole. The Security Council while
exhorting UN member states to join their efforts against terrorism has
repeatedly emphasized that this be done in accordance with international law,
human rights and humanitarian law. The drones are given out as an instrument to
fight terror. Yet, as we have repeatedly
said these attacks constitute a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and are
counter productive. On this question which relates to operational matters, we
have strong differences with the United States.
The media spin masters have tended to portray a false divide between
the state institutions of Pakistan. I would like to most emphatically reject
the notion of divide. The political leadership is supportive of the
strengthening of all of Pakistan’s institutions. We follow a whole government
approach. On all key issues, all stakeholders are consulted through
inter-agency processes. The statements issued by the Foreign Ministry and the
Military on the death of Osama bin Laden were authorized by the Government. Let
me also affirm the Government’s full confidence in the high command of the
Pakistan Armed Forces and the Inter Services Intelligence. Indeed the ISI, is a
national asset and has the full support of the Government. We are proud of its
considerable accomplishments in the anti-terror campaign.
Now let me put the present situation in its proper perspective. Our
foremost priority is development. This requires security and stability at home
and in the region. The pursuit of this objective is the guiding spirit of our
engagement with the international community and in particular major powers as
well as regional states. I must say that this endeavour has found resonance and
we are well on the road towards giving this vision tangible form. We realize
that the world and in particular the Asian region is undergoing a fundamental
and fast transformation. We are delighted that our all weather friend, the
Peoples Republic of China has made tremendous strides in economic and
technological development that are a source of inspiration and strength for the
people of Pakistan.
Apprehensions are being voiced about our relations with the United
States. Let me dispel any anxiety in this regard. Pakistan attaches high
importance to its relations with the US. We have a strategic partnership which
we believe serves our mutual interests.
It is based on mutual respect and mutual trust. Pakistan and the US have
strategic convergence. The dissonance that finds hype in the media is about
operational and tactical matters. It is not unusual to have a different point
of view on the methodology to achieve shared objectives. We have, however,
agreed that whenever we find ourselves on “conflictual” paths and disagree, we
should make efforts to reach common understanding by deeper and more intense
exchange of views.
Our communications at the official and diplomatic levels with the
US, during this phase, have been good, productive and straight forward. We have
agreed to a calendar of engagements. Most notably Afghanistan, Pakistan and the
US have agreed to form a Core Group for promoting and facilitating efforts for
reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan. On 3rd May, senior officials of the
three countries met in Islamabad and held useful and productive talks. Another
Trilateral is envisaged in the near future. On the bilateral track we look
forward to the visit of Secretary of State Clinton to Islamabad in the near
future. As you know, there has been a sea-change in our relations with
Afghanistan. Destiny of Afghanistan and Pakistan is inter-linked. We must
assume full ownership and responsibility for realizing our shared vision of
stability and prosperity. With India we are embarked on an important process of
engagement that should yield dividends for our two peoples and for peoples of
South Asia, as a whole. We will pursue our engagement with India in a positive
and constructive manner. I would like to conclude by underscoring the
following:-
- One Pakistan is
confident of its bright future.
- Two Our real strength
is our people, who are determined to over-come all challenges.
- Three We have an ongoing multi-track process of engagement with
all major powers including the United States.
- Four Our engagement with
states within our region is being intensified in the interest of shared
stability and prosperity.
- Five Counter-Terrorism
is a national priority.
- Six Al-Qaeda had
declared war on Pakistan. Osama Bin Laden’s elimination from the scene
attests to the success of the anti-terror campaign.
- Seven Intelligence cooperation is critical for the attainment
of the goals of anti-terrorism.
- Eight Blame games serve no purpose.
- Nine An investigation
in the matter has been ordered which shall be conducted by Adjutant
General of the Pakistan Army Lt. Gen.Javed Iqbal.
- Ten Our security
policies are constantly reviewed to enhance defence capabilities.
- Eleven There are no differences among the State institutions.
- Twelve Cooperation in counter-terrorism warrants a partnership
approach which fully accommodates Pakistan’s interests and respect for the
clearly stipulated Red Lines.
- Thirteen Pakistan’s relations with all states especially
immediate neighbours and major powers are in good shape.
- Fourteen Safeguarding and promotion of our national interest is
the sole objective of the Government’s policies.
- Fifteen The Parliament
is the right forum to discuss all important national issues. The will of
the people shall prevail. A joint
session of the Parliament has been called on the 13th May, 2011. I have
directed the concerned services authorities in the armed forces to impart
an in-camera briefing to the joint session on the subject. I look forward
to a productive debate in the House.
[Associated Press Pakistan report].
| 
