Dubai, July 15: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf today tied the establishment of relations between Pakistan and Israel to a settlement to the Middle East conflict and the creation of a Palestinian state.
"The Pakistani government can only study the question of
recognising Israel if the middle east conflict is settled and
includes the creation of a Palestinian state and the Israeli
withdrawal from occupied territories," Musharraf said in an
interview with al-Khaleej newspaper in the United Arab
Emirates.
"Recognition (of Israel) is unacceptable for the
Pakistani people with the continuing Israeli policy of
oppression against the Palestinian people and Israel's refusal
to withdraw from the occupied territories."
Islamabad "will take its decision at the right moment
and will take into consideration the feeling in Islamic
countries and public opinion in Pakistan".
On July 4 in Paris, Musharraf reiterated his intention to
reconsider Islamabad's ties with Israel, saying any decision
would hinge on the success of the fledgling Middle East peace
process.
Bureau Report
