'Israel policy to be reviewed after settlement of Palestine issue'

26 Jan, 2004

Pakistan has conditioned the recognition of Israel with the just settlement of Palestine issue in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
"Pakistan's stance on Palestine issue is intact. We favour settlement of the Palestinian issue in accordance with the UN resolutions and efforts being made to bring peace in the Middle East through the roadmap," the Foreign Office spokesman Masood Ahmad Khan has said.
"When Palestine emerges as a sovereign state and co-exists with Israel as an independent State, a situation will create in which Pakistan will be ready to review its policy towards Israel," he told BBC.
He described President Musharraf's meetings with Israeli representatives during the World Economic Forum as incidental. "The meeting was incidental. During the meeting, brief talks were held."
Asked if there is any chance of relations with Israel, Masood Khan said: "Last year the President had started a debate about Israel. He had said that we must see its pros and cons."
"There has been a debate in the country although it is still inconclusive.
The people have expressed different opinion. We are carefully watching the situation in Middle East," he said.
The spokesman said that the international community as well as Pakistan seek peace in the Middle East, protection of rights of the Palestinians and settlement of Palestine issue. "When it will happen so, Pakistan will review its policy," he said.

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