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Saturday, January 21, 2012
US will wait for Pakistan to reassess ties with US: Grossman* Says United States supports civilian government in Pakistan
NEW DELHI: Downplaying Pakistan’s refusal to allow him to visit, President Barack Obama’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman on Friday said that he would wait till parliament and the government reassess and reevaluate the relationship with the US.
Amidst the political crisis in Pakistan, Grossman also said the US supports the civilian government and democracy there.
“The Pakistan government has sought time to reevaluate its relationship with the US. I respect that. I would be ready for talks when Pakistan is ready,” he told reporters after meeting Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.
On whether Pakistan was discussed during his meeting with Mathai, Grossman said the Indian government could speak for itself on Pakistan. “What I would say is that of course we follow issues in Pakistan carefully. Relationship between Pakistan and US is very important. The Pakistan government and parliament have asked for some time to reassess and reevaluate their relationship with US,” he said. “They have asked for time to give them space for reevaluation. We respect that and what I say is when Pakistan is ready to reengage with dialogue with US we are glad to do so at any time, any point,” he said.
Grossman also said the US would continue to reinforce its conversation with Pakistan on the situation in Afghanistan and pitched the need for reviving trilateral dialogue.
On the current confrontation in Pakistan, he said the US supports the civilian government and democracy in Pakistan. “This is a question for Pakistanis. This is an internal question for them. They have their own ways of going forward and I would not comment any further on internal developments,” he said. inp
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk