News
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
US envoy-designate vows to build ties with PakistanWASHINGTON: The US nominee to be next ambassador to Pakistan on Tuesday told Congress that he would strive to build on the opportunity provided by resumption of Pakistani supply routes for enhanced mutual cooperation, in the backdrop of several difficulties in the bilateral ties in recent years.
Ambassador-designate Richard Olson told the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee in his confirmation hearing that the US-Pakistan relationship, though "extremely difficult" is "important for both of our nations". Pakistan's concerns about the future of Afghanistan post-2014 and the question of long-term US engagement with both Pakistan and Afghanistan echoed in the discussion as members of the influential panel sought views of the two nominated American ambassadors - Olson to Islamabad and James B Cunningham as next US ambassador to Afghanistan - at a joint testimony.
The lawmakers also quizzed the nominees about a series of related subjects, including the need for a check on cross-border activities of the Afghan Haqqani militants, US assistance for Pakistan, Islamabad's policy towards Afghanistan, the situation in Afghanistan and drone operations against terrorist targets in the tribal areas.
Olson, nominated by President Barack Obama to replace his predecessor Cameron Munter as top diplomat in Islamabad, spoke as Pakistan and the US formalised resumption of NATO supply routes into landlocked Afghanistan with an agreement on Tuesday. "The re-opening of the NATO supply lines provides a renewed opportunity to increase cooperation on our many shared interests," said Olson, who was until recently serving as coordinator for development and economic affairs at the US embassy in Kabul. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk