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High Commissioner of Pakistan exclusive talk with Sydney Morning Herald
John Howard
Pervez Musharraf
Alexander Downer
Jalil Abbas Jilani
Australian troops will benefit from emergency in Pakistan: envoy Jilani
Craig Skehan
November 6, 2007
WHILE the Howard Government says the state of emergency declared in Pakistan will put Australian troops in Afghanistan at greater risk, the country's high commissioner to Canberra Jalil Jilani says the reverse is true.
Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani, who was called in to the Foreign Affairs Department yesterday to hear Australia's concerns, told the Herald that the declaration would allow for an intensified crackdown on cross-border support for the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
But this came after the Prime Minister, John Howard, phoned Pakistan's President, Pervez Musharraf, to oppose his curtailing of democratic freedoms, including the arrest of hundreds of political opponents. Mr Howard said a strong stand against terrorism did not excuse "extra-constitutional behaviour". The Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, said dissent would undermine efforts to tackle radical elements in Pakistan with a link to the insurgency in Afghanistan. But he said Australia was reluctant to reduce aid in border areas aimed at improving stability and reducing Taliban and al-Qaeda influence.
Mr Jilani said the state of emergency was necessary to tackle "serious security challenges", including a recent string of terrorist bombings. "Under the state of emergency, Pakistan will be taking significant steps to discourage cross-border activity," he said.
"That will make it safer for our troops and for the foreign troops in Afghanistan, including your soldiers from Australia" Mr. Jilani said.
