Pak-US ties: ‘James Jones does not intend to visit Pakistan’
Ambassador Munter says his govt will respect parliamentary commission’s review of relations.
ISLAMABAD:
US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said on Thursday that former US national security adviser General (retd) James Jones has no intention to visit Pakistan to record his statement in the Memogate scandal.
Talking to the media after a seminar, the ambassador denied reports of the arrival of any US official in the country, including Gen Jones, as well as any meetings held between Pakistan and US officials in Qatar.
According to reports, meetings between the countries’ intelligence officials took place in Qatar earlier last week.
The reports suggested that ISI chief Lt Gen Shuja Pasha held meetings with US officials in Qatar; however, Ambassador Munter said he was not aware of any such meetings.
Hopes for an optimistic 2012
Munter further said that the US wishes to open dialogue with Pakistan aimed at achieving a more realistic cooperation goal in 2012.
He said that there were numerous issues between the two countries that came forward in 2011, most of which will be discussed this year.
The ambassador added that the US was trying its best to cooperate with Pakistan on every level possible. “The United States’ interest and values are clear and straightforward towards Pakistan,” he said.
Ties between the two allies dropped to the lowest ebb following the November 26 Nato attack in Mohmand Agency, which killed 24 troops. As a result, Islamabad shut Nato supply routes in the country, demanded an airbase to be vacated and formed a parliamentary commission to review its ties with Washington.
Munter expressed faith in the assessment carried out by the parliamentary commission and said that the outcome will be respected by the US.
“My understanding is that they [parliament] are coming to the end of this assessment, which will begin a period where American and Pakistani leaders will be in touch with each other,” he said.
He added that the issue of Nato supplies will also be in view of the assessment made by parliament. “We can leave it to the Pakistani authorities who are reviewing the parliamentary assessment.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2012.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said on Thursday that former US national security adviser General (retd) James Jones has no intention to visit Pakistan to record his statement in the Memogate scandal.
Talking to the media after a seminar, the ambassador denied reports of the arrival of any US official in the country, including Gen Jones, as well as any meetings held between Pakistan and US officials in Qatar.
According to reports, meetings between the countries’ intelligence officials took place in Qatar earlier last week.
The reports suggested that ISI chief Lt Gen Shuja Pasha held meetings with US officials in Qatar; however, Ambassador Munter said he was not aware of any such meetings.
Hopes for an optimistic 2012
Munter further said that the US wishes to open dialogue with Pakistan aimed at achieving a more realistic cooperation goal in 2012.
He said that there were numerous issues between the two countries that came forward in 2011, most of which will be discussed this year.
The ambassador added that the US was trying its best to cooperate with Pakistan on every level possible. “The United States’ interest and values are clear and straightforward towards Pakistan,” he said.
Ties between the two allies dropped to the lowest ebb following the November 26 Nato attack in Mohmand Agency, which killed 24 troops. As a result, Islamabad shut Nato supply routes in the country, demanded an airbase to be vacated and formed a parliamentary commission to review its ties with Washington.
Munter expressed faith in the assessment carried out by the parliamentary commission and said that the outcome will be respected by the US.
“My understanding is that they [parliament] are coming to the end of this assessment, which will begin a period where American and Pakistani leaders will be in touch with each other,” he said.
He added that the issue of Nato supplies will also be in view of the assessment made by parliament. “We can leave it to the Pakistani authorities who are reviewing the parliamentary assessment.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2012.