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EMBASSY OF PAKISTAN
3517 International Court, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20008
AMBASSADOR OP PAKISTAN
• "Pakistan did not break with the Taliban until after 9/11, although it
was well aware that the Taliban were harbouring Bin Laden."
• "The Taliban's ability to provide Bin Laden a haven in the face of
international pressure and UN sanctions was sufficiently facilitated by
Pakistani support."
• "Pakistan benefited from the Taliban-Al Qaeda relationship as Bin
Laden's camps trained and equipped fighters for Pakistan's ongoing
struggle with India over Kashmir."
• "Pakistan and Saudi Arabia helped set the stage for the September 11
attacks by cutting deals with the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden."
• "Pakistan provided even more direct assistance, its military and
intelligence agencies often coordinating efforts with the Taliban and
Al Qaeda."
• "Such efforts allowed Al Qaeda's network of cells to burrow deeply
into the social and religious fabric of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,
enabling the organization to survive the U.S. led demolition of its
headquarters in Afghanistan in 2001, to regroup and to launch new
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3. First of all, let me clarify the reasons for Pakistan's recognition of the
Taliban regime. As a matter of policy, Pakistan has always maintained
diplomatic relations with the sitting government in Kabul, irrespective of its
political and ideological inclinations, including its policies towards
Pakistan. This has been a geopolitical necessity because the two countries
have a common border that is inhabited by populations with close links on
either side of it. Accordingly, it was not practicable for Pakistan to eschew
ties with any government in Kabul. Pakistan maintained diplomatic relations
even with hostile regimes in Kabul, including the Communist regimes of
Tarakai and Hafizullah Amin, and the Soviet imposed regimes of Babrak
Karmal and Najibullah.
7UN-22-2004 18:05 EMBRSSY of PfiKISTfiN UfiSH. 202 686 1534 P.03
6. The allegation that "Osama Bin Laden trained fighters for Pakistan's
struggle with India over Kashmir" is both inaccurate and misleading. The
Kashmiris' struggle for freedom predates the arrival of Osama Bin Laden in
Afghanistan and is rooted in the alienation of the Kashmiri people and their
determination to resist military occupation and repression. To imply that the
freedom struggle in occupied Kashmir owes anything to Osama Bin Laden is
just about as unfair as one can get.
Yours sincerely,
(Ashraf JehangirQ
TOTRL P.04