20000404

Australia hopes India,

Pakistan will soon

resume talks

KARACHI: Australia is concerned over the increasing tension between India and Pakistan and hopes that both the countries would create conditions which will enable an early resumption of bilateral dialogue.

This was observed by High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan Geoffrey Allen while addressing members of English speaking Union of Pakistan ESUP at a local hotel on Monday "Reflections of my stay in Pakistan".

He said Australia as a strong advocate of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, condemned the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan in May 1998 and introduced selective measures against both the countries as an expression of its disappointment.

Allen said his country has called on Delhi and Islamabad to accede to the NPT, to sign the CTBT, to refrain from weaponisation and deployment of its nuclear capability and to implement effective controls on export of nuclear material and technology.

"We are encouraged by Pakistan government's efforts to develop a national consensus in favour of signing CTBT. It has also agreed to enter into negotiations in Geneva on a fissile material cut-off treaty. But much more is to be done if we are to rid the world of these horrendous weapons of mass destruction", he stressed.

On bilateral ties, he said over the last four years, Australia and Pakistan have negotiated a bilateral agreement on the promotion and protection of investment, an air services agreement and an extradition treaty.

According to him, Australian exports to Pakistan increased from 260.6 million Australian dollars (AUD) in 1996 to 646.6 million AUD in 1999, an increase of almost 150 percent. However, exports from Pakistan are much lower although increased at much slower rate. In 1996, these were valued at 124.8 million AUD and in 1999, at 155 million AUD, an increase of 24 percent. The balance of trade is heavily in favour of Australia.

He said Australian investment in Pakistan has also increased, and was valued at 365 million AUD as at October 1998. The number of Pakistani students studying in Australia has increased significantly. Over 2000 student visas have been issued since 1996. Australia is now the third preferred destination for Pakistani students after United States and Britain, he noted.

Allen felt it is perhaps timely, for the citizens to renew the social contract that was so strongly promoted by the founders of Pakistan. A re-invigorated political process led by persons of genuine calibre and commitment, and a populace at large prepared to play its part to ensure that Pakistan remains strong and in a position to provide basic requirements for all its people.

"The challenge to the nation's problems lies within. There opportunity is now. Let the people of Pakistan re-dedicate themselves to Mohammed Ali Jinnah's ideals and work constructively for the future of the nation and its citizens", the High Commissioner emphasised.

Earlier President ESUP Abdul Kader Jaffer spoke of the efforts made by Allen for promoting friendly relations between Pakistan and Australia.ÑPPI