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| AsiaViews, Edition: 48/VI/March2010 |
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| Norway sees Pakistan role in Afghan stability |
ISLAMABAD: Norway’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that Afghanistan was ceasing to be a battlefield of hidden agenda of different countries, and because of its strategic position and historical links Pakistan could be a key player for peace and stability in the war-torn country.
In an exclusive interview with Dawn, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store described Pakistan as Afghanistan’s key neighbour which could play a significant role in resolving the crisis in that country.
Norway has a sizeable presence of troops in Afghanistan and Mr Store plans to travel to Kabul on Thursday after spending a hectic day in Islamabad during which he also held a meeting with Prime Minister Gillani on bilateral as well as regional issues.
In reply to a question about reasons for failure of the regional approach for Afghanistan in the past, Mr Store said countries from near and far had brought their differences to the Afghan theatre.
Since Norway had in the past been involved in mediation between warring sides in various conflict zones, Mr Store’s arrival in Islamabad after holding talks in Delhi sparked curiosity about Oslo’s desire to broker peace between India and Pakistan.
When asked if Norway was playing any secret role in promoting peace between Pakistan and India on the model of Oslo accord between Palestinians and Israelis, Mr Store said both countries had given him a clear message that they could themselves deal with bilateral issues.
However, he said that if there was anything Norway could do to help the countries to move forward, that could be considered.
Commenting on the recently-concluded inconclusive foreign secretary-level talks between Pakistan and India, the foreign minister said: “Talks for the sake of talks is a first step towards substantive talks. You can get to the substance of talks when you have the will and the courage to talk.”
Replying to a question if Norway owed an apology to the Muslim world for re-publication of blasphemous cartoons in a Norwegian newspaper, Mr Store said freedom of expression was required for freedom of religion.
“I am convinced that freedom of expression is a key to freedom of religion. You cannot have your freedom of faith if you cannot express yourself,” said the minister. Mr Store, however, said that most of the Norwegian media had chosen not to publish the blasphemous cartoons.
In the Norwegian setting, he said, it was a decision to be taken by the editor about publishing or not publishing a story. In response to a question about radicalisation of the Muslim youth in Norway, the minister said there had been some examples of Muslim missionary groups recruiting young men.
Mr Store said the Norwegian police were monitoring the matter which, he said, was not broad-based. |
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| By Arshad Sharif |
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| Dawn, 04 March 2010 |
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