The Hindu : International : "Pakistan can play effective role in West Asia"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 20, 2005

International

International

"Pakistan can play effective role in West Asia"

B. Muralidhar Reddy

"Palestinian leadership standing firm with Israel for restoring peace in West Asia"

ISLAMABAD: Palestine National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday that Pakistan had the capability to carry out its "ground-breaking role" towards the resolution of the Palestine issue.

Talking to presspersons after meeting Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, he said Pakistan had given a set of proposals for the resolution of the Palestine issue and that they were under consideration.

"Pakistan's set of proposals for restoring peace in West Asia is being reviewed head to toe and undoubtedly Pakistan is an important country of the world community which can play an effective role in resolution of the issue," Mr. Abbas said. He said the Palestine leadership strongly believed in resolving the tension in West Asia. "Palestinian leadership is standing firm with Israel for restoring peace in the world's most panic-ridden area."

Mr. Abbas extended an invitation to President Musharraf and Premier Shaukat Aziz to visit Palestine for a first hand assessment of the ground situation.

Mr. Abbas arrived here from Beijing on a brief visit for talks with Pakistani leaders on the West Asia peace process and bilateral relations. Mr. Abbas' one-day visit is his first to Pakistan and part of his first Asian tour since succeeding Yasser Arafat as President of the Palestinian Authority in January.

Involving Pakistan

Mr. Abbas' remarks on the potential of Pakistan to play a role in the resolution of the Palestine issue assumes importance given the U.S.' keenness on Pakistan's involvement in the West Asia peace process.

Since the U.S. President, George Bush, urged Gen. Musharraf to consider mediation in the West Asia conflict during his last visit to Washington, there is a raging debate within Pakistan on the pros and cons of establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.

Pakistan currently has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

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