Pakistan's Zia talks about the Soviets, the U.S. and Islam
Five and a half years ago, when the military seized power in Pakistan, Army Chief of Staff General Mohammed Zia ul-Haq lived in the modest bungalow in Rawalpindi where he still resides. As President, Zia might have moved into the official residence in Islamabad. But then, as now, the President seemed more content with the daily reminders of a soldier's life and duties. Last week, in his library, surrounded by the trophies, photographs and regimental emblems of a long military career, President Zia received TIME New Delhi Bureau Chief Dean Brelis. Excerpts t from the interview:
On Pakistan's security: Pakistan is faced with a problem next door, in Afghanistan, where the Soviet Union now has 100,000 troops. I don't think you can intimidate a nation like Pakistan with the presence of troops next door. But it has brought a qualitative change in the total geopolitical environment of this region. A superpower occupying a free country, an Islamic country, just because it wants to secure its underbelly, is something of great concern to us. Irrespective of the size, population or strength of a country, people have to exist in their own right, in accordance with international rules of business, of safeguarding their sovereignty.
On the Soviet Union: I know that the Soviet Union is looking for a solution to the Afghanistan problem. The Soviet Union is in difficulty. It is in difficulty internally. It is in difficulty in Poland. It is in difficulty in Kampuchea, indirectly. And it is in great difficulty in Afghanistan. This is my own view, and I hope I'm right: if they can find a face-saving device, the Soviets do want to withdraw from Afghanistan. As for Pakistan, we have made it abundantly clear that there are four basic principles upon which we cannot compromise: the Soviet troops must withdraw; the [Afghan] refugees must return to their homes with dignity; the nonaligned status of Afghanistan must be returned; and—I'm adding one on my own—we will accept an Afghanistan friendly to the Soviet Union.
On his upcoming meeting with President Reagan: In my own humble way I hope to let him know the perception that I have of my region. We're not a global power. We have regional interests. Sometimes looking at a region from 10,000 miles away, you can get a blurry picture. I hope that I will be able to present a clearer picture to President Reagan.
On the delivery of U.S.-built F-16s: Pakistan's military inventory is of Korean War vintage. We are not producers of military hardware, and we cannot afford to go out every two or three years and buy new equipment. We have to look ahead for 20 years. We are very grateful to President Reagan. When we got the offer of F-16s, we jumped. With this aircraft, our borders, which are now threatened by the Soviet presence in Afghanistan, will be somewhat secure. Of course, 40 planes cannot make all the difference, but the presence of a superior aircraft gives you at least that much moral as well as military ascendancy.