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Australia, Pakistan sign counter-terrorism pact
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-15 14:45
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf committed his country to strengthening
counter-terrorism ties with Australia in a bid to rein in Al-Qaeda and other
militant networks.
A memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday before Musharraf and Prime
Minister John Howard at Parliament House here allows for joint training
exercises between the Australian and Pakistani security forces as well as the
sharing of sensitive intelligence.
Musharraf, who is the first Pakistani head of state to visit Australia, said
he had briefed Howard and senior cabinet members on the work his government had
done to stamp out Pakistan-based militants.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer
(R) and Pakistan's Minister for Industry and Production Jehangir Khan
Tareen shake hands during a signing ceremony in Canberra's Parliament
House June 15, 2005 of a Memorandum of Understanding on counter-terrorism
cooperation between the two countries. Pakistani President General Pervez
Musharraf, who witnessed the ceremony along with Australian prime minister
John Howard, is on a three-day trip to Australia, the first by a Pakistani
head of state. [Reuters] | "On the issue of
security we did highlight the role that we have played in countering terrorism,
in fighting against Al-Qaeda and the successes that we have met in neutralising
or marginalising Al-Qaeda from Pakistan," Musharraf told reporters.
Australian officials have been concerned about the possibility that there are
terror training camps within Pakistan. Three of the four people facing terror
charges in Australia are thought to have had some training in Pakistan.
Musharraf acknowledged Tuesday it was likely that Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama
bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan but said that no country had done more than his
to fight terror at home.
Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf,
left, and Australia's Prime Minister John Howard, right, chat after they
witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to
combat terrorism at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday,
June 15, 2005.[AP] | At a press conference after
the signing, Howard praised Musharraf's stand in fighting terror and rooting out
Al-Qaeda members and other militants from Pakistan.
Musharraf has been a strong ally of the United States since Al-Qaeda launched
the September 11 attacks and has captured, killed or deported some 700 members
of the network.
"I personally, and the Australian government, admire his courageous
participation and that of his country in the fight against terrorism," Howard
said.
Howard echoed comments made by the Pakistani leader on Tuesday that trade and
investment could help stamp out the poverty that is seen as a breeding ground
for militancy.
"I believe that the greatest contribution that the wealthy, developed world
could make to the less developed world would be to break down trade barriers,"
Howard told reporters.
Speaking at a luncheon later, Howard likened Australia's warming relationship
with Pakistan to its closer ties with its northern neighbour, Indonesia, under
the leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who visited Australia
earlier this year.
Howard said both Pakistan and Indonesia were "pillars or examplars of
moderate Islam" and deserved more credit for installing democratic rule.
Musharraf, who has used his historic three-day visit to push for stronger
trade ties between the nations, said he had asked for support in joint ventures
and investment in agriculture, dairy, livestock and mining.
Pakistan is also lobbying for Australia's support in joining Asian trade
blocs such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
"Where East Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, China and Australia are
cooperating economically within the region, our region (South Asia) is out of
the loop because of the conflicts, because of the tension," Musharraf said at
the luncheon.
Howard, who will visit India next month, praised Musharraf's role in the
warming of relations between Pakistan and India, which remain in dispute over
the Himalayan region of Kashmir.
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