Operation against al Qaeda and Taleban: Musharraf rules out foreign troops deployment

President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday ruled out deployment of any foreign troops on its soil to carry out operations against al Qaeda and Taleban remnants, saying country's army was fully capable to do the job.
"No sir, there is no possibility at all," he said, when asked about Pakistan allowing foreign troops on its soil on the Pak-Afghan border to prevent infiltration of terrorist elements.
Addressing a crowded press conference here, the president said Pakistan has a very large and experienced army that has seen operations.
"There is no dearth of talent, bravery or enterprise in our army and there is no room for any army coming in and assisting us," he categorically said.
President Musharraf said on the Pakistani side of the Pak-Afghan border there was an efficient intelligence network in place and a very strong quick reaction force to react whenever any al Qaeda or Taleban suspects were spotted.
"Everyone is very satisfied over what we have done," he said in an obvious reference to the arrest of over 600 al Qaeda and Taleban suspects in Pakistan.
He said Pakistani troops were operating on its side of the border, while ISAF and US forces were operating on the Afghan side. Musharraf said there was total co-ordination between the two.
To a question about any change in Pakistan's policy vis-à-vis Israel in the wake of recent thaw in Pakistan-India relations, he said that if the Middle East peace process progressed satisfactorily, allowing for the peaceful co-existence of both Palestine and Israel, Pakistan could consider reviewing its policy at that point of time.
However, the president ruled out the possibility of any change in Pakistan's stance at the moment.
Asked in view of threat to his life and what would be the alternative for the continuation of his policies, the president said, no individual in the world was indispensable.
He expressed satisfaction that his government had put in place democratic institutions that were fully capable to carry out economic and foreign policy objectives.
The president said there was an elected government in place and political restructuring was introduced aimed at having a sustainable democracy in the country.
To a question, President Musharraf said that talks between Pakistan and India would be held next month. However, he said, the foreign offices of both the countries were in touch to decide about the level of talks and its venue.
The president hoped that the talks would be held as soon as possible, but added, what required was the continuation of the process with minimum gap so that the process could move forward as fast as possible.
He said the talks could not start at the summit level. "It has to start at the lower level and then end up at the summit level," he added.
To another question, he clarified that nobody from Pakistan has visited North Korea recently.
However, he said, in the past Pakistan had interaction with North Korea on the purchase of surface-to-air missiles. But now, Pakistan was manufacturing these tactical anti-aircraft missiles and there was no need of any contact with North Korea.
Over the alleged involvement of some individuals in nuclear proliferation, the president said the UN nuclear watchdog - IAEA - had given soma names which includes personalities from Pakistan, European countries and also from the East.
He said in Pakistan the investigations into the allegations was being carried out and was not completed as yet.
There were personalities and European countries involved which needed to be investigated, he said.
He said any terrorist or underground organisation like al Qaeda has to have communication and human linkages.
"There is a command and control through human interaction or communication interaction (and) I don't think that is there," he said, adding that it was an ineffective organisation and "in our areas, especially, they are on the run".
To a question on the thaw in Pak-India ties, he said, there was a very happy change of heart as the two sides have decided to hold dialogue to address all the outstanding issues, including the complex issue of occupied Kashmir.
However, he said, it was a very good beginning, but "we have to take-off and move towards an end, towards resolution of all disputes, including occupied Kashmir.
"We have to wait for the initiation of the dialogue," he said, adding that the relationship would only progress when the two sides showed sincerity, resolve and also the boldness.
President Musharraf said that there were people with extreme position on both the sides and the leadership have to show courage to stand up to the opposition by a minority. "Vast majority in both the countries want peace and resolution of disputes," he added.
To a question about the western border with Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan had taken a decision to join coalition against international terrorism and was for the Bonn process to be executed.
"A vast majority of Pakistanis are totally on board on whatever is happening in Afghanistan and whatever I am doing against al Qaeda and Taleban," he said, adding that it was a minority who might have sympathies with them and who, perhaps were against what the government was doing.
But, he said, "One should not be deterred by this minority extremists and one should not, in the West, think that it is this minority extremists who are reigning supreme. That is not the case," he added.