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Hillary meets President, PM
US to broaden relations with Pak: Clinton
Applauds operation in SWA; Assures assistance in energy sector;
Zardari seeks world help in dev
PM for stable partnership
Tanvir Siddiqi/Sharafat Kazmi
Islamabad—President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that the
democracies of the world can help speed up the process of healing
and development by helping democracy in Pakistan and rendering
assistance in critical areas of social and economic development.
He was talking to the visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Matters related to bilateral relations, strategic partnership, fight
against militancy, mutual cooperation and assistance to Pakistan
were also discussed during the meeting.
Welcoming Ms. Clinton, the President said that her visit at a
difficult time is a clear reflection of the deepening relationship
between the two countries.
It is a “relationship based on respect for democracy and
sovereignty” and is marked by our joint commitment to fight the
forces of extremism ad militancy and a long-term political and
strategic partnership based on mutual interest, common values and
shared goals, he added.
The President said that the government of Pakistan People’s Party
has a clear vision and strategy.
“We are determined to root out militancy from our soil and purge our
country of militants. We are pursuing policies of public-private
partnership to promote investment. We are undertaking all possible
efforts to meet the energy challenge head on,” President Zardari
added.
He said social integration through reforms and poverty alleviation
is the top most priority of the government.
The President said that Pakistan needed assistance for stabilizing
its economy through investment promotion, overcoming the energy
crisis, facilitation in getting market access, capacity building of
civilian institutions and securing the needed investment in
education and social sector as measures for long-term fight against
the militant mindset.
He also urged for the speedy delivery of equipment to fight
insurgency.
Issues relating to peace in the region were also discussed in the
meeting.
The President said that dialogue was the only way forward as the
absence of dialogue created doubts and tensions.
US Secretary of State thanked the President for the warm welcome
extended to her during her visit.
She said that US is looking for long-term sustained and
multidimensional partnership with the democratic government and
people of Pakistan.
She said the United States is committed to supporting the people of
Pakistan at this critical hour and would extend all possible help to
promote stability, strengthening of democratic institutions and help
the people of Pakistan through investment in education and social
sector.
Those who attended the meeting included among others Foreign
Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Rehman A.
Malik, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Information Minister
Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira, Secretary General Salman Faruqui and other
senior officials.
US Ambassador in Islamabad Anne W. Patterson and Richard C.
Holbrooke were also present during the meeting.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan wishes
to build a long-term and stable partnership with the US based on
mutual trust and respect.
He urged the US administration to support Pakistan by enhancing
trade between the two countries through increased market access
rather than aid. The US should hence start negotiations on Free
Trade Agreement with Pakistan. He said that the financial assistance
from the US should be routed through the Government system.
He was talking to Hillary R. Clinton, US Secretary of State who
called on Prime Minister along with a delegation at PM House on
Wednesday.
The Prime Minister said that the US should ensure early
reimbursement of Coalition Supports Fund (CSF) and reimbursement of
Pakistan’s Counter Insurgency Capabilities Fund. The Prime Minister
said that Pakistan has made great sacrifices in combating terrorism,
militancy and extremism.
While apprising the US Secretary of State on the progress of law
enforcement operation in Waziristan, the Prime Minister underlined
the fact that the civilians and defence establishments as well as
all the political forces of the country were fully united behind it
which was reflective of the nation’s firm resolve to root out the
evil forces from Pakistan’s territory. He called upon the US to
expedite replenishment of the urgently needed military hardware to
strengthen the hands of Pakistan’s armed forces in the ongoing
operation.
The Prime Minister termed the drone attacks being launched by the US
in FATA region and consequent collateral damage as a source of major
concern for Pakistan and urged the US administration to provide the
drone technology to Pakistan. The Prime Minister welcomed the US
offer to reinvigorate Pakistan-US strategic dialogue and stressed
the need of strategic stability in South Asia for maintenance of
peace. He firmly asserted that Pakistan will never compromise on its
legitimate security interests and will continue to maintain the
minimum credible deterrence for its defence. The Prime Minister
called upon the US for mediation between Pakistan and India on core
interests i.e. Kashmir, water issues as well as help Pakistan
enhance its defence capability to maintain balance of powers . The
Prime Minister urged early release of Dr. Afia Siddiqui on medical
grounds.
The US Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton congratulated the Prime
Minister on taking very difficult decisions to fight the terrorism.
She acknowledged that Pakistan had proven its resolve in the fight
against militancy and the US would support Pakistan in every
possible way to succeed. The Secretary of State said that she had
come to listen and understand the concerns and problems that the
Government of Pakistan was facing in these challenging times. She
assured the Prime Minister of her government’s sincerity in
developing a long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan by
overcoming the differences and through mutual consultations. .
US Secretary of State while apprising the Prime Minister of her
earlier announcement that the US will assist in providing more than
10,000 tube wells to Pakistan, refurbishing power transmission
infrastructure at the Tarbela Dam, said that the US government would
be providing additional assistance of $ 10 million through UNHCR for
the internally dislocated persons of Waziristan, $ 20 million food
aid through World Food Programme and $ 25 million to help Pakistan’s
efforts in reconstruction of terror affected areas of Swat.
She reaffirmed that the US was ready to revitalize the strategic
dialogue with Pakistan but wanted them to be result oriented.
Referring to the current political situation and forthcoming run of
Presidential elections in Afghanistan, the Secretary of State said
that both US and Pakistan had stakes in the stability of that
country. She hoped that the Transit Trade Agreement between Pakistan
and Afghanistan would be signed by the end of this year to
strengthen the trade and economic links between the two countries.
She said that the US would welcome Pakistan’s input in its strategic
review of its Afghan Policy.
She also commended the Prime Minister for his stance of
reconciliation and the desire for improving relations with India
through resolution of all the outstanding issues by resuming the
composite dialogue. She said that while she was aware that it is a
difficult process, the US government would support the efforts for
early resumption of the composite dialogue between India and
Pakistan. The US delegation included, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke,
US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson and other government
officials.
Minister for Defence, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Foreign Minister
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister, Shaukat Tarin,
Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Senator Sughra Imam and other senior
government officials were also present in the meeting. Pakistan and
United States agreed to build a strong relationship based on mutual
respect and shared responsibilities. This was stated by Foreign
Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton during a joint press conference following their talks here
on Wednesday.
The US Secretary of State said the United States seeks to turn the
page to a new partnership not only with the Government but people of
democratic Pakistan. She said during talks they agreed to resume and
intensify US-Pakistan strategic dialogue, as we want comprehensive
dialogue which is result-oriented.
Hillary Clinton said both Pakistan and the United States are facing
security issue and Pakistan is currently engaged in the struggle to
fight terrorists. She said Pakistan is not alone in this fight as
this is our struggle as well. She commended Pakistan military for
their courageous fight and said the United States stands shoulder to
shoulder with Pakistani people in their fight for peace and
security. She said the United States would give help needed by
Pakistan in order to achieve its goals.
The US Secretary of State said the relationship between the two
countries goes far beyond security and during her talks with Shah
Mahmood Qureshi both sides agreed to work closely as Pakistan
continues its journey towards an effective, responsive and enduring
democracy. She said the United States wants to provide help to
Pakistan which its people think best for the country.
She said the United States wants to help Pakistan in economic arena,
want to help create jobs, develop infrastructure, create investment
opportunities and more access to education and healthcare.
The Secretary of State said special envoy Richard Holbrooke and US
Ambassador in Islamabad are working closely with Pakistan to find
ways and means to help overcome the country’s energy crisis.
She announced the first phase of an energy programme for Pakistan,
which would help repair power facilities and promote energy
efficiency. The projects designed in close collaboration with
Pakistan Government will repair and upgrade key power stations
across the country, which are currently operating well below the
capacity. She said the United States would help install better
equipment at Tarbela dam power station and help repair or replace
more than ten thousand tubewells across the country, which would
save energy and increase agricultural productivity. She said this
first phase is only beginning and there would be more intensive
cooperation in this sector.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi emphasized the need for
building a relationship based on trust, mutual respect and shared
objectives.
He said in his talks with Hillary Clinton, the two countries
discussed how to re-enforce the trust and how to understand
sensitivities of each other’s concerns and identify and align our
objectives and strategic interests.
The Foreign Minister pointed out that democracies cannot be
oblivious of public opinion. He said we need to address fears and
concerns of both sides. He said we now have a mechanism in place and
leadership of the two countries are willing to address these fears
and concerns.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said as a new review of Afghan policy is taking
place in the United States, Pakistan asked the Secretary of State to
share her views on it and take Pakistan’s input for it.
The Foreign Minister said there is a policy shift in the US approach
- moving from individuals to people as the United States wants to
have a people-centric relationship. He said the United States is a
democracy and it has supported transition to democracy in Pakistan.
He said democracies have to redraw terms of engagement and today we
sat to analyse the way forward. The Foreign Minister said that we
have to build relationship for the future. We have to regain each
other’s confidence and Obama administration is taking steps that
indicate it understands the importance of confidence in each other.
He said defeating terrorism is our shared goal but the relationship
has to go beyond terrorism.
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan is a resource rich
country and it needs US support in using its resources. He said
Pakistan needs greater market access as the country prefers trade
than aid. He said during talks they also talked about the importance
of building capacity of institutions that can deliver and improve
the quality of life of ordinary citizens, provide better health
education, sanitation and pulling people out of poverty. He said
they also discussed how we can be sensitive to each other’s core
interests.
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