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Pakistani Ambassador Answers Questions

Aired March 17, 2003 - 10:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We want to take it back to the United Nations. The Pakistani ambassador is speaking right now. Let's listen to what he has to say.
QUESTION: ... it seems pretty clear the diplomatic window has closed.

MUNIR AKRAM, PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Well, I think that the diplomatic window is never closed, not even in the worst of times. So let's hope that there is still space.

QUESTION: Do you blame the French for scuffing (ph) this, like the Americans did?

AKRAM: We blame nobody.

QUESTION: Mr. Ambassador, the French ambassador said this morning that he got confirmed that the majority would have voted no for this American resolution. On which side would Pakistan have been?

AKRAM: I do not enter into conjecture.

QUESTION: Oh, come on. I mean, this morning you did say that diplomacy and politics should go on. I mean, sure. So it was no time for war or what?

AKRAM: Pakistan had always said that we would decide our position when the time came to vote. The time did not come to vote.

QUESTION: Are you happy about that?

AKRAM: I think you should ask the other 14, as well.

COSTELLO: Pakistani ambassador Munir Akram dodging some questions there from reporters who are eager for any answers that the ambassadors at the United Nations must have.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired March 17, 2003 - 10:23   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We want to take it back to the United Nations. The Pakistani ambassador is speaking right now. Let's listen to what he has to say.
QUESTION: ... it seems pretty clear the diplomatic window has closed.

MUNIR AKRAM, PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Well, I think that the diplomatic window is never closed, not even in the worst of times. So let's hope that there is still space.

QUESTION: Do you blame the French for scuffing (ph) this, like the Americans did?

AKRAM: We blame nobody.

QUESTION: Mr. Ambassador, the French ambassador said this morning that he got confirmed that the majority would have voted no for this American resolution. On which side would Pakistan have been?

AKRAM: I do not enter into conjecture.

QUESTION: Oh, come on. I mean, this morning you did say that diplomacy and politics should go on. I mean, sure. So it was no time for war or what?

AKRAM: Pakistan had always said that we would decide our position when the time came to vote. The time did not come to vote.

QUESTION: Are you happy about that?

AKRAM: I think you should ask the other 14, as well.

COSTELLO: Pakistani ambassador Munir Akram dodging some questions there from reporters who are eager for any answers that the ambassadors at the United Nations must have.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com