News
Sunday, December 25, 2011
US wants closer political, military ties with Pakistan
* State Dept says Washington supports democracy in Pakistan
* Pakistanis are to resolve country’s political issues themselves
WASHINGTON: The United States has said that it will continue to work with Pakistan towards improving bilateral relations, which saw significant challenges throughout the year.
The State Department’s comments came amid strained relations between the sides following the November 26 NATO cross-border attacks on Mohmand checkposts, which resulted in the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers.
“We desire a closer, more productive relationship with Pakistan both militarily and as well as politically. And we’re constantly working to build that closer cooperation. As I said, we’ve been very forthright in acknowledging that this is a relationship that needs to work,” acting spokesman Mark Toner said.
The current year began with the killing of two Pakistanis by CIA contractor Raymond Davis in Lahore, before tensions flared following the May 2 unilateral US raid on Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden’s hideout in Abbottabad. The November 26 attack was the latest incident that led to heightened tensions between the sides. However, the State Department spokesman said the US was committed to working with Pakistan.
“We’ve been, I think, pretty candid in saying that there have been some significant obstacles throughout this year in the relationship,” Toner said.
“But at each juncture, we’ve tried to address those challenges and we have recommitted ourselves to working with Pakistan. And we’re going to continue to do that because we believe we need to work with Pakistan,” Toner remarked.
Since it began a high-stakes engagement in the region a decade ago, with the start of the war against terror in Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States has greatly relied on Pakistan’s support. They have required assistance both for security on the porous Pak-Afghan border and transportation of supplies to landlocked Afghanistan.
In return, the US has supported Pakistan with economic and military assistance, but there have been differences over several issues related to the lingering Afghan conflict on Pakistan’s western border, which has also impacted on Pakistan’s internal security and economy.
The spokesman added that Washington would continue to brief senior Pakistani officials on the findings of a US Central Command (CENTCOM) report into the November 26 incident.
“The report will be published, at some point go public. And we’ve been very forthright in discussing its contents. We’re going to continue to engage with them as we go forward,” Toner said, adding that a briefing by CENTCOM chief General James Mattis to the Pakistani military leadership, scheduled for this week, had been postponed due to Pakistan’s internal situation.
Questioned about political situation in Pakistan, the spokesman reiterated Washington’s support for democracy in the country, and added that this was a matter for the people to resolve through the political process.
“We support the democratic process in Pakistan, we support the constitution and the rule of law, as well as the will of the Pakistani people. We want to - we believe, rather, that this is a matter for the Pakistani people to resolve within their own political process,” Toner remarked. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk