News
Sunday, May 29, 2011
FO says Clinton’s visit helped remove misconceptions
* Spokesperson says Pakistan, Afghanistan, US have formed core group to promote process of peace, reconciliation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Saturday that the recent visit of US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Admiral Mike Mullen to Pakistan had helped remove misconceptions and misunderstandings between the two countries to a great extent.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahmina Janjua in her weekly briefing said that during discussions, the leadership of two countries indicated their concerns and now they understood each other’s perspective in a better manner.
She said that Pakistan and the United States have agreed to continue fight against terrorism, conduct joint operations, share information, ensure return of peace and stability to Afghanistan and facilitate the Afghan-led process for peace and reconciliation. The spokesperson said Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States have formed a core group to promote the process of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
She said that the two meetings of the group had already taken place and the third one would be held by the end of June in Kabul. She said there was realisation within the United States that Pakistan had to play a very important facilitating role in any process of reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan. “Pakistan fully stands by Afghan people in this endeavour,” she added.
Tehmina Janjua said it became evident during Hilary Clinton’s visit that the United States wished to work together with Pakistan and was ready to address its concerns.
“It wants to take fully on board Pakistan’s core national interests and the United States underscored the concept of partnership and equality during these talks,” she added.
The two sides, she said, also agreed to intensify bilateral engagement as well as to recommence preparatory work for strategic dialogue process.
The spokesperson said as soon as the preparatory work was done, the dates for the strategic dialogue would be decided. Replying to a question, she said the two countries agreed that there would be greater transparency and information sharing in the context of joint operations.
About drone attacks, she said, “The issue has been intensively discussed with the United States and during Friday’s meeting, the Pakistani leadership conveyed the concerns of people of Pakistan about drone attacks and violation of sovereignty as reflected in the unanimous resolution of the Parliament”. She said that the United States fully appreciated Pakistan’s contribution and sacrifices in the war against terror. Commenting on the remarks made by Hilary Clinton regarding the presence of so-called safe havens of terrorists in Pakistan, the spokesperson said, “Pakistan is suffering due to terrorism on a daily basis”. “Pakistan is committed to eliminate terrorism and extremism from its soil,” she added.
The spokesperson said that a 12th round of talks between Pakistan and India on Siachen issue would begin in New Delhi on Monday. Defence secretaries of both the countries would attend the meeting. She said that Pakistan wanted to resolve all outstanding issues with India through dialogue. Answering a question, the spokesperson said that security and safety of Pakistan’s strategic installations was that of international standards and there should be no doubt in that regard. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk