World: Monitoring Nawaz Sharif's speech

According to latest reports, PML N leader Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has confirmed about the chances of sit-down with lawyers as a protest for the restoration of Judges at the November 2nd, 2007 position but some independent sources say that it is a political statement and Nawaz is less likely to attend sitdowns with lawyers.
Despite the fact PML N looks forward to participate in the long March due on March 16th, 2009.
World: Monitoring

Nawaz Sharif's speech


In his address to the nation, broadcast live on Pakistani television, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the five nuclear tests marked a decisive moment in Pakistan's history and he called for national austerity in the face of the expected international sanctions.
Following are excerpts from his speech: Tests possible '15-20 years ago'

"China is against expansionism in spite of being several times more powerful than India in respect of its strength and defence capabilities, while India is an expansionist country. We constantly pointed towards this fact but the major powers did not pay any attention to this and continued to believe in false pronouncements made by Indian rulers. Under these circumstances, it was but natural for us to get worried. World should have 'blockaded' India

"What was necessary was that India should have been blockaded without any moment's delay for the manner in which New Delhi insulted world public opinion and scornfully rejected the world nations' demands. Highly effective sanctions would have been imposed against India until it stopped its nuclear weapons programme, but, regretfully, no such effective step was taken to make India realise its mistake. The manner in which India was condemned could not prove meaningful. No option" but to stop India

"I have had five telephone conversations with US President Bill Clinton. He expressed heartfelt sympathy, for which I am very grateful. I understand that President Clinton is aware of our compulsions. However, India is running so far ahead in the nuclear arms race that there is no option but to stop it. A retaliatory action has become indispensable for the sake of peace and security of this region. It sounds incomprehensible to us that India is being asked to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty after having made and operated nuclear weapons. India is being told that if it promises not to conduct any nuclear tests in the future, all of its sins will be pardoned. However, we were advised to act with caution and not to take any retaliatory action in haste. Nuclear account now "fully settled"

"I am fortunate that my people have trust in me... Today we have fully settled the account of the nuclear tests conducted by India recently and have carried out five successful nuclear tests. Millions of thanks to the God that he gave us the ability to carry out the retaliatory tests. Whatever we have done is the decision of the people of Pakistan.

"When you raised the slogan: Take the step Nawaz Sharif, we are with you, it came across my mind that oh God, what step are my people asking me to take. The answer has been found as to what was meant by that step. History has taken us to a decisive crossroad. One way is towards slavery, the other towards freedom... Pakistani military ready to "face the enemy"

"By the grace of god, our troops are imbued with the spirit of faith in God and are ready to face the enemy at every front with full determination. Our nuclear scientists and technicians too, by the grace of God, are endowed with divine capabilities and the strength of faith in God. Our nuclear explosions have eradicated the uncertain situation that had been created by the enemy's explosions. The Pakistani nation pays tribute to these great sons of the nation. No enemy, God willing, can carry out cowardly nuclear attack on our country. 'National agenda' to be announced

"I will appear before you within a few days again with a complete national agenda... We had deprived ourselves of our self-reliance by seeking loans from others. The indebted life had dissuaded us from labour and toil and habituated us to an artificial life. The enemy has awakened us by challenging our self-respect. Now we will not look at any outsider. We will depend on our own strength and will seek help only from God...

"Long Live Pakistan."