News
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Mistrust must not spoil Pak-US ties: Zardari
* President says weakening of relations is not an option for two countries
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday urged the United States to prevent mistrust caused by isolated diplomatic incidents from spoiling ties between the two nations.
During his meeting with US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Marc Grossman, at the Presidency on Monday, the president said that the nation had paid heavily in the war against terrorism, losing thousands of men and suffering colossal economic damages.
Zardari said that Pakistan was fighting its war against terrorism in a manner which was most suitable in the peculiar context of “our own and no one should question our commitment or intentions”.
The president observed that weakening of relations was not an option for the two countries, and said, “We have to find ways and means to find acceptable solutions to all problems.”
Briefing reporters about the meeting, the president’s spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, said that President Zardari, during his meeting with the top US diplomat, highlighted the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the ongoing war against extremism and terrorism.
The president termed it a long-drawn battle where military means alone could not achieve complete victory as it was a battle of hearts and minds. He said the government adopted policy of dialogue, development and deterrence to effectively take on the challenge posed by terrorists.
President Zardari, while felicitating Grossman on his appointment, hoped that he would help fill the gap created by demise of the late Richard Holbrooke and his long experience of public service would also help bring peace and prosperity in the region.
Grossman thanked the president for the meeting, which was also attended by US Admiral Philip Davidson, Federal Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and others.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk