News
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Pakistan, US make progress in mending ties* US official says ISI, CIA chiefs have agreed on a number of steps to improve national security of two countries
* Pakistani official says Pasha’s visit has put intel component back on track completely
WASHINGTON: The spymasters of Pakistan and the United States made progress in mending rifts in a relationship that had soured over the US raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, during meetings at CIA Headquarters, officials said.
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha made a brief visit to Washington, arriving on Wednesday and leaving on Thursday, to meet with Acting CIA Director Michael Morell and other intelligence officials.
Both sides sought to renew ties of cooperation and move forward in an often challenging relationship. “The discussions today between General Pasha and the acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency went very well,” a US official said on condition of anonymity.
“They agreed on a number of steps that will improve Pakistani and US national security,” the official said, without disclosing any more details. A senior official at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington said the meetings helped stabilise the intelligence partnership between the two countries. “Both sides were able to agree on the way forward in intelligence,” the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. “This visit has put the intelligence component back on track completely.”
“We have had difficulties since May 2,” the official said, adding, “Those difficulties are being addressed.”
Pasha could not meet the heads of congressional intelligence committees because of time constraints, a US source said. reuters
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk