WASHINGTON: The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton termed Pakistan parliament’s review of ties with the US as significant, hoping they would come away with an “honest, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship.”
In response to a question at a joint press conference with Afghan Foreign Minister Dr Zalmai Rassoul, Secretary Clinton praised the democratic process Pakistan is engaged in, reiterating her stance of supporting democracy in the country. She said that the US wants an “honest, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship” with Pakistan, and added that they have made clear that they respect “Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty”.
The US Secretary of State insisted that they were waiting to see the results of Pakistan’s parliament’s debate, and were ready to work with the Pakistani government and people.
Speaking a day after Pakistan’s parliamentary committee presented its recommendations vis a vis US-Pakistan relations, including the demand for a formal apology over November 26, 2011 Nato attacks on a Pakistan checkpost and an end to drone strikes, Clinton said they, the US, remained committed to a relation with Pakistan, recent ups and downs notwithstanding.
She added that the US and Pakistan have shared interests and the same enemies.
Secretary Clinton said that the US believes that supporting democracy in Pakistan is good for Pakistan, the region and for the United States.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Dr Zalmai Rassoul called Pakistan Afghanistan’s brotherly neighbour, and that the two countries stood together.
Rassoul said that an unstable Pakistan would not be good for Afghanistan, in a repeat of statements that Pakistan has often used for Afghanistan. He continued that the stability and prosperity of one country is of interest to the other.
Pakistani blood has been spilled: Pentagon press secretary
“Pakistanis have borne the brunt of terrorism, Pakistani blood has been spilled,” said Pentagon Press Secretary George Little while addressing a press briefing at the Pentagon on Wednesday, adding that terrorists did not only target the US and that the US has had great success in working with Pakistan.
Little added that this was a common fight, and the US will continue to pursue cooperation with Pakistan.
Reiterating the US government’s stance, he said that they want to move forward in their relationship with Pakistan and welcome dialogue with their Pakistani partners to enhance co-operation.
“We realise there have been bumps in the road,” he said, adding that both countries share common interests, especially when it comes to counterterrorism.
“We are willing to discuss the outcome of parliamentary review with Pakistan. It is premature to discuss what Pakistan's parliament might say,” said the spokesperson.
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@Ahmer Ali: Dear Ahmer Ali, Your knowledge about Pakistan/Afghanistan may be greater than mine, but why should Pakistan worry to much about what happens in Afghanistan post 2014. Pakistan cannot solve all the worlds problems, and when the Americans have gone, the Taliban will be too busy fighting the Northern Alliance. If Pakistan leaves the Taliban alone I would have thought the situation in Pakistan would be relatively peaceful. No American drones destroying the North West, most of the Afghan fighting men pushed over into Pakistan, by the Americans, will logically move back to Afghanistan. I know Afghanistan seems to be a forsaken spot, but it is their homeland, and the Afghans seem attached to it. Once the Americans have moved out Pakistan should not reasonably be obliged to continue heavy skirmishes between the Pakistan Army and Militants. Therefore, with a little good will, diplomacy and tact, relative peace should fall into place. This may be a heavy wish list, but it is a distinct possibility, and one would hope the Pakistan Government is biding its time to make it so.
This has been compulsion,coercion and need of the hour for the USA because thus only USA can stay in Afghanistan safely till 2014.In other words USA shall have to do so at all costs because in case of disconnection of Pakistan's co-operation with USA the US' and NATO's forces shall face the unaffordable,heavy,the most dangerous and worst ever defeat and losses in Afghanistan than now.
Thank a lot "friends of democratic Pakistan". The silent masses greatly appreciate your help to keep us moving in the direction of rule of the people. With the next elections next year we would elect some new and better people and the sieving process of democracy would continue for the betterment of society. Thanks for supporting people and their will not individuals and dictators. I am sure that the rightwing enemies of democracy and losers are not going to like your support but it is the majority that counts in democracy not the vocal minority of elites.
@Pakistan politics: Pakistan was more peaceful before Gen Zia hanged elected PM and used brutal force against all secular forces in Pakistan. Now his Jihadist chickens have come home to roost. We wanted to change ZAB and PPP govt and we got Zia. Now we again are after PPP govt and let us see what do we get? The fundamentalist jihadist gene is out of the bottle and the rest is history. Sad to say but every passing day for most Pakistanis is worse than the previous one. Regards, Mirza
@Khattak: @Khattak: was Pakistan more peaceful after we became US ally or before?? was our economy and International standing was good at that time or now?? If we dont have strong economy we cant even fight wars with this Army. Our interests in the region conflicts with America's, our alliance is unnatural oh this alliance is more than slavery. And in return what did we got??? congressmen resolutions against Baluchistan, threats to our existence, threats to our nuclear weapons, TTP, CIA hidden network? what are u tawking about u people are trying to make 180 millions fool, dont misguide
blah blah blah blaahhhhhhhhhhh blhaaaahhhhh blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! oh and @Pakistani Politics : easyyyyyyy there buddy with your crazy conspiracy theories. If they wanted to come, they would without sending a message and taking out more than just a checkpost
@Pakistani Politics Pakistan & its army can not exist without US. So please be honest for once. Why are you trying to make fool of 180 million people?
The attack on Pakistan is coming, NATO attack on Pak checkpost message :"We aren't ur friends anymore we are coming to take you now" http://707monty.blogspot.com/2011/12/israel-will-not-attack-at-iran-until.html and again we are siding with them, shame on our commanders and Government
"reiterating her stance of supporting democracy in the country." As long as the "democracy" continues to serve them.