PAKISTAN, IRAN READY FOR NEW STRATEGIC COOPERATION
By Akhtar Jamal
ISLAMABAD 10 Dec. (IPS) The end of the Taleban's rule in Afghanistan has helped foster strategic cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. Following a recent visit to Pakistan by Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, the two nations have signaled interest in expanding political, economic and strategic cooperation. Some believe that they will need closer ties to counter a potentially growing Western and Russian influence in Afghanistan.
This cooperation has a frightening dimension. Some observers have not ruled out the possibility of cooperation in the field of nuclear technology. Western intelligence reports have recently claimed that Iran has received considerable nuclear components from Russia and possibly from an Asian state during the last few months.
Keeping in mind Western concerns about the potential nuclear capacity of Islamic extremists, a high-ranking Pakistani official was quick to deny any cooperation between his government and Iran's in the area of nuclear collaboration.
However, according to sources, a subsequent visit by a high-powered defense delegation from Iran resulted in an as-yet-undisclosed defense deal between Tehran and Islamabad.
Defence experts believe that a new accord for joint production of armaments and close cooperation in technical advancements was discussed at this meeting.
While Kharrazi held important political talks in late November with Pakistani President Parviz Mosharraf and Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar on bilateral issues and the Afghanistan situation, other talks progressed between the two countries. Iran's Deputy Defence Minister, Rear Admiral Hamid Naslpak, held detailed discussion with his Pakistan counterpart, Major General Mohammed Ashraf Chaudhry, on November 29. Admiral Naslpak also met with President Mosharraf, who is also the Chief of Army Staff, and other senior military officials.
The Iranian team also visited a number of defence production factories and establishments, including Pakistan Ordinance Factory. This facility recently built Pakistan's newest Al Khalid main battlefield tanks and strategic armaments. Pakistani officials would only say "matters pertaining to mutual bilateral interest were the main focus of discussion."
However, sources close to Pakistan's defense ministry revealed that the two sides agreed to hold a high-level defense meeting, possibly as soon as January. The Frontier-Post, a Peshawar daily,
reported in its November 30th edition that the two sides also discussed matters related to cooperation in the field of defense production.On the same day, Karachi's Dawn newspaper
reported that the two sides have decided to enhance military cooperation. The countries may cooperate in the manufacture of small arms, ammunitions, artillery tank ammunition, propellants and various kinds of explosives.Dawn reported that Iranian foreign minister Deputy Defence Minister had extremely "productive meetings" with President Mosharraf and Foreign Minister Sattar on November 30 that led to their renewed understanding for political and military cooperation.
Fearing a cold reception from Western powers and Russia in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran have also agreed to narrow their gap on Afghanistan policy. The Iranians were opposed to Pakistan's pre-September support of the Taleban and had backed rival groups in Afghanistan. But now both states have felt the necessity to collaborate closely on regional issues.
Iranian officials during their visit to Islamabad reiterated two points: Tehran does not approve of the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan and will continue to oppose the reinstatement of exiled former king Mohammed Zaher Shah. The former king indicated a desire not to serve, and UN-led negotiations made Hamid Karzai, a Pashtoon anti-Taleban fighter, interim head of Afghanistan on December 5.
Pakistan, which has lost its influence in Kabul after the anti-Taleban Northern Alliance took the city in November, also has enemies in the new government. Its officials fear hostile days ahead, primarily because of the Northern Alliance's tilt toward Moscow and New Delhi.
Iran needs support from a strengthened Pakistan. It still faces Western military sanctions and has been refused transfer of defense technologies, while the United States effectively lifted its sanctions against Pakistan shortly after Mosharraf sided with the Washington in September. It was not clear if Iran wanted to purchase medium range Shaheen missiles in recent talks, but officials have confirmed that Tehran has shown its interest in that particular missile, which has a range of about a thousand kilometers.
Pakistan is now close to the production of an advanced Shaheen missile with a range in the neighborhood of 2000 km. Pakistan Ordinance Factory Chief Gen. Qayyum has sought business deals in as many as 30 countries, including United Arab Emirates and Myanmar. If Iran joins his client list, nuclear fears figure to ratchet up as the Taliban fade. ENDS IRAN PAKISTAN COPPERATION 101201
Editor's Note: Mr. Akhtar Jamal runs his own web site, Pakistan Press Review. He contributed this article to EurasiaNet.
Highlights and phnetics are from IPS