JCP chair and Pakistani prime minister agree on world order for peace, ways to eradicate terrorism, and elimination of nuclear weapons

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JCP chair and Pakistani prime minister agree on world order for peace, ways to eradicate terrorism, and elimination of nuclear weapons

On September 18, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo, who arrived in Islamabad the day before, held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. Shii and Aziz exchanged views on three themes: an order for peace in Asia and the whole world, ways to eradicate terrorism, and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Aziz welcomed the JCP delegation, saying "Your visit will enrich relations between Pakistan and Japan." Shii expressed his gratitude to Aziz for extending the invitation.

Touching on his visit the day before to Taxila, the ancient ruins where Buddhist civilization and Greek civilization had met, Shii stated that he realized once again Pakistan's geopolitical importance as the "crossroads of Asia" that Aziz had often pointed out. In this connection, Shii raised the question of the order for peace in Asia and the whole world.

Recalling the talks he had with Aziz in Tokyo in August 2005 in which the Pakistani prime minister mentioned his proposal for the "basic principles toward a fair ordering" calling for a strong U.N. system, peaceful resolution of disputes, tolerance and understanding of other social systems, values, and cultures, and an equitable and just economic order, Shii stated, "These principles have in common with the JCP Program that calls for establishing a U.N. Charter-based order for peace in opposition to unilateralism and hegemonism of any big powers."

Referring to Aziz's recent speeches, Shii said that he has been paying attention to Pakistan's diplomatic efforts that attach importance to regional communities of nations for peace such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and ASEAN.

Shii pointed out that in Northeast Asia the important task now is to make a success of the Six-Party Talks dealing with the North Korea's nuclear development issue and, through this process, to carry out the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as well as to establish a regional organization for peace.

With nods of agreement Aziz said, "Exactly," and added that Pakistan is making efforts to strengthen a regional organization called the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in cooperation with the Central Asian countries, as well as Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan.

On the issue of international terrorism, Shii stated, "I understand that the Pakistani government is tackling this issue in difficult situations," and emphasized, "The following three principles are vital for the eradication of terrorism":
(1) Pursue the removal of root causes of terrorism through reduction of poverty and peaceful resolution to regional disputes;
(2) Avoid holding specific religions or civilizations responsible for terrorism. Attach importance to promoting mutual understanding and co-existence of different civilizations;
(3) Make U.N.-led efforts to root out terrorism in accordance with the U.N. Charter as well as international law and humanitarian law, respecting fundamental human rights.

Shii stated, "Launching a lawless war under the pretext of eliminating terrorism will result in encouraging terrorists and making terrorism even more rampant. This has been proved by the Iraq War." He appreciated the Pakistani government position that neither supported the Iraq war nor dispatched its troops to Iraq.

Aziz stated, "I fully agree with you. I think the three points you have raised are very important. Terrorism has no borders. We must make efforts to remove the root causes of terrorism such as poverty, lack of democracy, and lack of means for a peaceful solution of disputes."

On the issue of nuclear weapons, Aziz stated, "Pakistan values peace and has no intention to invade any country. Concerning nuclear weapons, we have proposed the concept of 'nuclear restraint-regime'," in which no country will use nuclear weapons.

Referring to remarks that Aziz made during his stay in Japan in August last year and the declaration calling for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons within a specified framework of time that the Non-Aligned Movement Summit has just adopted, Shii stated, "As a political party of the only atom-bombed country, I would like to request Pakistan, a nuclear weapons possessing country, to take initiatives for the swift global elimination of nuclear weapons by seizing appropriate opportunities."

Pointing out that the Pakistani government supported the Non-Aligned Movement Summit resolution, Aziz stated, "Sure, I will."

In conclusion, Prime Minister Aziz stated, "We have very similar views" on the three themes that the two discussed. Shii and Aziz confirmed that they agreed on these issues.

From the Pakistani side also present in the talks were: Advisor to the PM Khalil-ur-Rahman, Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Mushahid Hussain Sayed, National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Muhammad Farooq Sattar, MOFA Addional Secretary Akhtar Tufail, and PM Office Additional Secretary Zamir Akram.
- Akahata, September 19, 2006