News
Monday, April 25, 2011
Pakistan’s concerns about Afghanistan should be addressed: Munter
* US ambassador says Washington committed to civilian government in Pakistan
* Emphasises on trilateral engagement for solution of Afghan issue
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s legitimate security demands must be taken into account on the question of Afghanistan, said United States Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter on Sunday, adding that legitimate demands of Pakistan on the Afghan question must be given due consideration.
He said this while talking to PTV.
Munter said that the US has great respect for Pakistan and wants to see it as a sovereign and stable state. “We are working for stability in the region,” he added.
He said, “We are supporting both the civilian government and the army in Pakistan.”
About the US financial support for civilian projects in Pakistan, he said that the US was helping in building dams and roads.
“We are very committed to your country and your civilian government,” the US ambassador said and referred to the Kerry-Lugar Act under which the US is putting in an annual $1.5 billion aid for Pakistan’s development, including roads, dams and other infrastructure projects.
Munter, in this respect, also referred to the US support in the Gomal Zam Dam project as well as a $40 million aid for irrigation of 25,000 farms. “We are doing concrete things. We are completing roads in South Waziristan. We are honest with you because we are your friends,” he stressed.
Discussing the situation in Afghanistan, the ambassador said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s recent trip to Kabul was “a good step” towards the process of restoration of peace in Afghanistan.
To a question, as if the US supports the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Reconciliation Commission, Ambassador Munter said, “Yes, we support it,” and also quoted the US secretary of state as endorsing such cooperation at diplomatic and civilian levels.
“We support the idea of a core group, based on working together,” he added.
The US ambassador emphasising on the trilateral engagement for a solution of Afghanistan said, the key countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US should work together, adding, “this is the essence of our relationship”.
“We want stability in the region and we are committed to that,” he said. To a question, Munter said regional countries like Turkey and India also have a positive role for economic development in Afghanistan. Everyone in this region has to play a role for its stability”, he said. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk