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Musharraf Welcomes Chinese Role In South Asia
ISLAMABAD, May 15 (News Agencies) - Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday welcomed China's role in South Asia to counter "regional hegemonism," a reference to India's growing military and economic might.
Musharraf said the end of the Cold War had led to a change in global equations and the emergence of "regional hegemonies," the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan quoted him as saying.
"South Asia is such a victim of regional hegemonism, which creates strategic imbalance," he told a seminar a day after Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji wound up a four-day visit to Pakistan.
"As a close neighbor, China has always played a crucial and positive role for the peace and stability of South Asia. This role will remain vital, especially so in the changing geo-strategic realities."
Musharraf said South Asia's nuclear ability added a "new dimension to the perennial tensions" which threatened regional peace.
India and Pakistan conducted tit-for-tat nuclear tests in May 1998, raising the stakes in their decades old rivalry.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars since they gained independence from Britain in 1947 and remain at bitter loggerheads over the divided Himalayan state of Kashmir.
While New Delhi has nurtured ties with Russia, Islamabad has turned to China for military and economic support, especially following the decline of its relations with the United States since the end of the Cold War.
"We desire peace with dignity and honor. This cannot be done without solving disputes that have plagued security in South Asia, and continue to be a hindrance in improving the overall environment," Musharraf said.
Zhu is currently on a five-nation tour of South Asia.
Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar later said Zhu's visit to Pakistan had focused on "expansion" of economic cooperation between the two countries and defense issues had not been discussed.
The two countries finalized economic projects worth about $600 million, Sattar, accompanied by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, told a news conference.
"Our leaders did not discuss the cooperation in the field of defense because both sides are satisfied with the progress that has taken place over the years," Satter said.
Musharraf also poured cold water on the United States' plan for a National Missile Defence (NMD) shield on Saturday when he said "we are against any action that re-initiates nuclear and missile race."
Sattar said Musharraf's "remark was about a general principle. This is a traditional remark."
He said many members of the United Nations believed the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty had created stability and now it might be "adversely affected."
"Our stance has been based on the hope that strategic stability that has prevailed will continue," he added.
The NMD is designed to protect the U.S. from missile attacks by what Washington considers "rogue states", such as Iraq and North Korea.
Bush has also vowed to "replace" the ABM treaty, which bans such systems and is considered the cornerstone of Cold War arms control.
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