Islamabad: In a subtle change, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who insisted for
long that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir was "freedom struggle" has said no
individual can define terrorism and it should be left to the discretion of United
Nations Security Council (UNSC) while favouring United States mediation in resolving
disputes like Kashmir.
"No individual or entity other than the United Nations Security Council can rightly
define the term terrorism," he told Iranian news agency IRNA ahead of President
Mohammad Khatami's three-day visit to Pakistan beginning on December 23.
"What constitutes terrorism and what does not is, indeed, a very contentious issue,
and that people differ in their definitions of the term according to their
individual purposes. So, frankly the UNSC should define the term terrorism and then
it should strictly be adhered to," he said.
When asked who should "rightly" lead the anti-terror campaign, Musharraf said all UN
member countries should adhere to Security Council resolutions and that prime
responsibility lies with the world body to resolve issues.
"So other than that, when it comes to the role of mediator for disputes around the
world, like Palestine and Kashmir, then, yes, the US, being the sole superpower, can
play a role in bringing an end to these disputes – amicable and justice-based
solution," he said.
Pakistan, which has been elected to the non-permanent seat of the UNSC, would take
charge of its two-year term from January 2003.
Earlier, Musharraf had said Pakistan looked to Khatami to use his good relations
with India to facilitate dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir and
other outstanding issues.
He said the problems faced by the Islamic world and the Kashmir issue would figure,
among other things, during his talks with the Iranian President.
"Issues like Palestine, Kashmir and other major regional and international matters
will figure during my meeting with President Khatami," he said.
Khatami is scheduled to hold talks with Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah
Khan Jamali and other Pakistani officials.
This is the first visit of an Iranian President to Pakistan in a decade.
PTI
