Pakistan rejects regime change in Iran

[sabra]

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C04%5C29%5Cstory_29-4-2006_pg7_11

Pakistan rejects regime change in Iran

WASHINGTON: Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan declared at a press conference on Thursday that Pakistan is “not in the business of transforming governments or changing regimes” when asked about Islamabad’s views about the current US passage-at-arms with Iran.

The barb directed at the man who stood next to him at the lectern, Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns, did not elicit a response from the US official who had earlier said that Iran had crossed all international red lines. The foreign secretary said Pakistan’s position on Iran was clear. Islamabad hoped that the international community would be able to resolve the nuclear issue with Iran, but Pakistan was against the use of force. Iran was a neighbour with which Pakistan had a close and long-standing relationship. “We have good relations and we wish Iran well,” he added.

Khan said “As regards to transforming regimes, let me make it very clear that Pakistan has a very simple policy. We are not in the business of transforming, changing regimes anywhere. So that is not something that we conceive as – see as part of our policies. We want friendly relations with all our neighbours. We want a friendly environment in our region. Iran is a very important neighbour of Pakistan. So we hope that they would, of course, resolve all the problems that they have, especially this issue and we hope that the international community will be able to resolve these issues with Iran. Our position on the Iranian issue is that we strongly emphasise that all parties, particularly Iran because it’s also a member of the NPT and must abide by their international obligations.”

Regarding the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, he said: “We perceive it like any other agreements that Iran has for the supply of oil and gas to a very large number of countries, the Europeans, the Japanese, the Chinese.”

[cliss]

1. Well, I think they've made themselves clear.

"Hands off Iran" seems to be the message. Mr. Khan rightfully understands the explosive nature of bombing Iran (not just literally, but figuratively).

If the US attacks Iran, the mess will spill out over several countries and ignite a Dante's Inferno that the US will not be able to contain. Peanut-brain Bush doesn't understand that.

[shadowknows69]

2. He doesn't care

The more I hear the war drums beat the more I'm sure that the neo-cons/PNAC have decided to finally have the world wide resources war and let the chips (and bombs)fall where they may. I'm nearly positive this will eventually result in several US cities being destroyed as well as thousands more soldiers overseas. What do they care if our army is destroyed in Iraq or extremists start blowing things up in the US weekly? They have their bunkers and Blackwell private army to insure the continuity of the dictatorship.

[Disturbed]

3. I may be crazy but I still feel that if...

Busholini makes moves toward attacking Iran an accident will occur to him that will incapicate him to act as Pres. I feel that the American Oligarchy will now allow the US Govt. to take this sort of risk.

[0007]

4. It appears we're coming down the home stretch.

[varun]

5. After Iraq and Iran...

...the logical next step is Pakistan.

[ckramer]

6. Everyone is smarter after the Iraq war

War, as Elaine said, what's it good for?