President not to meet Sharon: FO
DM Monitoring

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan on Saturday has denied prospect of any meeting between President Musharraf and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in New York.
Media reports had claimed of President Pervez Musharraf likely of having a “chance meeting” with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit later this month.
Foreign Office spokesman Naeem Khan talking to a private TV channel said that no meeting between President Musharraf and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is scheduled to be held in New York at the side lines of the UN General Assembly session.
He said however President would be addressing a session of American Jewish Congress for creating inter faith harmony.
Naeem Khan said Pakistan would be sending a diplomatic mission to Palestine which would visit the Palestinian areas including Gaza and would meet the Palestinians leaders.
With respect to economic ties with Israel he said Pakistan’s stance in this regard is clear and there are no chances of recognizing Israel and starting economic ties as yet.
Pakistan and Israel held their first formal diplomatic talks when their foreign ministers met Sep 1 in Istanbul, Turkey. However, Pakistan emphasized that the meeting did not mean the recognition of the state of Israel and said it placed “great importance to Israel ending its occupation of Gaza”.
Foreign Office Saturday clarified that there is no meeting scheduled between President General Pervez Musharraf and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during the forthcoming session of Untied Nations being held in New York this month.
Spokesman of Foreign Office Muhammad Naeem Khan commenting on the news about any meeting between President Musharraf and Ariel Sharon, said there is no such meeting in the schedule of President Musharraf during his visit to New York.
The Spokesman said President Musharraf would address American Jewish Congress in New York during this visit adding that it is part of Pakistan’s efforts to promote interfaith harmony among various religions.
The Spokesman, however, said Pakistan would send a diplomatic delegation to Palestine which will visit Gaza besides other areas under the control of Palestinian Authority.
Reiterating Pakistan’s principled stand on the recognition of Israel, the Spokesman said there is absolutely no decision to recognise Israel or start trade with it, following the meeting between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Israel as it is only to promote the cause of Palestine and to play active role in resolving the issue.
Foreign Office Spokesman Naeem Khan has said that Pakistan’s engagement with Israel is aimed at promoting the Palestinian cause.
In an interview to BBC Radio the Spokesman said when Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Pakistan in May last he held detailed discussions with President Musharraf in this regard. The Palestinian President was of the opinion that Pakistan being an important Muslim country should play its role in moving the Middle East peace process forward, he said.
When asked did Pakistan consult Palestinian Authority before the meeting of Foreign Minister Kasuri with his Israeli counterpart the Spokesman said, President Musharraf talked to Mahmoud Abbas and King Abdullah and they termed the decision a positive step and welcomed it.