News
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Talks underway with US on military aid: FO
* Spokesperson says Washington has assured continuation of civilian assistance to Pakistan
* Says dates are being worked out for Indo-Pak FM level meeting
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua has said that there has been a development in Pak-US relations, especially on the civil side, and the US has ensured continuation of civilian assistance to Pakistan, while negotiations are underway for the resumption of military assistance.
Speaking at a weekly briefing at the FO on Saturday, the spokesperson said the United States reassured to Pakistan on Thursday that it would keep sending civilian assistance, after it deferred $800 million in military aid.
She said that Thomas Nides, the US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, delivered this message in a telephonic conversation with Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh. Tehmina said there was no delay in the foreign ministerial level talks between Pakistan and India and expressed the hope that these talks would be held at the end of this month in New Delhi as per schedule.
“Pakistan-India ministerial level meeting will be held in New Delhi at the end of this month, but the dates are being worked out,” Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar will lead Pakistan’s delegation to Pakistan-India ministerial level talks in New Delhi. Regarding delay in the finalisation of dates for the meeting, the spokesperson said there was no delay, but dates were being finalised keeping in view engagements of the Pakistani and Indian foreign ministers.
She said another meeting of the Working Group on cross-LoC confidence building measures relating to trade and travel of Kashmiris would be held in New Delhi on July 18. The spokesperson said that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar would also visit Bali, Indonesia on July 22 to 23 to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the 18th ministerial meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Replying to a question on recent bomb blasts in Mumbai, the spokesperson said Pakistan has already condemned, in strongest terms, the terror attacks in Mumbai. She said, “Pakistan and the people of Pakistan who have suffered terrorism, understand and share the anguish caused in India by the tragic loss of life and property.”
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh called on Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani at the PM’s House Saturday afternoon, and apprised him about the communication he had with the US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas R Nides.
He informed that Nides ensured continuation of civilian assistance to Pakistan, besides showing willingness to undertake major projects in the energy sector, including the Diamer Basha Dam.
The minister briefed the prime minister on discussion on Coalition Support Fund (CSF), which is reimbursement of expenditures already incurred by the government of Pakistan in war against terror. appCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk