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Meeting not prelude to recognition, says Musharraf

QUETTA: President Pervez Musharraf defended a meeting on Thursday between the Pakistani and Israeli foreign ministers, saying it was backed by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Musharraf said the historic talks held in Turkey did not mean Pakistan was ready to recognise the Jewish state. "We consulted his highness Saudi King Abdullah and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas — both appreciated our move and gave us the go-ahead signal," Musharraf told reporters in Quetta.

Musharraf said the Foreign Minister Khurseehd Kasuri’s meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Silvan Shalom, was part of his government’s policy to move forward internationally. "We cannot live in isolation," he said. "Forward-looking countries perceive changes in advance. They formulate their policies according to the changing world scenario."

Take the Guesswork out of Internet MarketingMusharraf praised Israel’s pullout from the Gaza Strip as a "positive step" but said the aim of Thursday’s talks was to promote the Palestinian cause. He added that Pakistan’s move "should not be misconstrued", and reiterated Pakistan’s long-held stance that diplomatic ties could only be considered once a Palestinian homeland is established.

"This does not mean that we are recognising Israel," he told reporters. "We will not recognise Israel unless the Palestinians get their homeland or there are signs of an accord in this direction."

The meeting comes just over two weeks before Musharraf is due to make a rare address to the American Jewish Congress in New York, to speak about his campaign for moderation in the Muslim world. "I will be the first Islamic leader to address American Jews. No one should be angry over this," he said. Musharraf said Pakistan would send a delegation to al-Quds - Jerusalem - "where it will be welcomed by Palestinians and Israelis," but gave no further details.