E&OE
11 January 2008
AM Radio Interview
Subjects: Pakistan bombings and cricket
TONY EASTLEY: The Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, is hoping that Australia’s cricket tour of Pakistan will go ahead in March despite the latest bombing which killed 26 people and injured 60 others. Many of the dead and injured were police who were called in to an anti-government demonstration outside the High Court in Lahore. Lahore is a popular venue for visiting touring sides. The series was already in doubt following the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto last month, and the civil unrest that it caused.
Pakistan’s Information Minister says the suicide bombing was part of a terrorist campaign to disrupt the general election, now due in the middle of next month. The Minister told State Television the election would go ahead as planned.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Mr Smith, has condemned the latest attack. He’s been speaking with Peta Donald in Canberra.
STEPHEN SMITH: We’re very concerned about the latest bombing. We of course condemned the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. We of course condemn this bombing overnight which has claimed over 25 people. We condemn the extremism, and we condemn the terrorism; and we hope that Pakistan can move as quickly as possible to a better state, and I think the starting point for that is a democratic basis for Pakistan.
REPORTER: Now, the general election that was to be held was delayed until next month. Do you think that this latest attack is designed to stop that election going ahead? Do you have any evidence that that’s the case?
STEPHEN SMITH: No I don’t, but certainly anyone who is seeking to disturb a transition in Pakistan to democracy, would be pursuing this sort of road.
We of course understand the reasons for the delay of the election to the 18th of February. I wouldn’t like to see any further delay, because I strongly believe that the best basis for Pakistan is a democratic basis, and that’s the best and most effective starting point for combating terrorism and combating extremism.
REPORTER: So Pakistan’s Information Minister is saying that the election will still go ahead. So you’d be very relieved to hear that.
STEPHEN SMITH: I certainly welcome the early indications that this won’t dissuade Pakistan from moving to election on the 18th of February. The most important thing about those elections is of course that they’re safe and that there’s full and free participation from all concerned. And I certainly hope that that occurs, because that is absolutely in Pakistan’s best interests.
REPORTER: Do you think it’ll be too dangerous now for the Australian cricket team to tour Pakistan in March, or do you think it’s important that that tour does go ahead?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well that’s obviously a matter for Cricket Australia.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has been in close contact with Cricket Australia. The Australian Government has made it clear to Cricket Australia that we will provide them with all of the advice and information that we have at the most relevant time. Cricket Australia are about to send their own mission overseas to make a judgement.
So that’s a judgement for Cricket Australia. And obviously just as all Australians would have uppermost in their mind, so does Cricket Australia have uppermost in their mind, the safety and security of the Australian cricket team and touring party.
REPORTER: Yes, of course it is a matter for Cricket Australia, but, do you think it, it would send an important message to the extremists in Pakistan, at this time, if the Australians did go ahead in March?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well obviously any time that something is either deferred or delayed or cancelled as a result of extremism, whether that’s a cricket tour or whether that’s an election, it’s a victory for extremism and that’s why I say the most important and effective starting point for Pakistan is a democratic basis.
EndsMedia Inquiries: Foreign Minister's office (02) 6277 7500