ISLAMABAD:
US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is expected to travel to Islamabad next month to formalise a new counter-terror agreement between the two countries –but her final plan depends on the outcome of Pakistan’s parliamentary review currently debating fresh terms of engagement with the US.
Diplomatic sources have confirmed that a series of visits by top American civil and military officials are being planned in the next few weeks in light of recommendations currently being debated in Parliament, as part of efforts to salvage the severally damaged diplomatic relations.
“Secretary Clinton’s itinerary for the trip is being worked out,” said a Pakistani official, adding that the US secretary of state was likely to visit in April. But her final plan depends on whether Parliament approves fresh terms of engagements.
Ahead of Clinton’s trip, US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman and top American military commander General James Mattis would also visit Islamabad in the first half of April. Sources say the two officials would work out details of a new accord encompassing resumption of Nato supplies and other key areas with the Pakistani officials.
The US has indicated willingness to renegotiate the Nato supply routes agreement – but, at this stage, is not ready to offer any face-saving to the government on drone strikes.
Diplomatic sources disclosed that the two countries have been working subtly for some time to iron out bilateral differences and that Tuesday’s meeting between President Obama and PM Gilani was a result of this back door diplomacy.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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One can only hope that PAK will present its list of unreasonable demands and these will be rejected out of hand. Then it will interesting to see what PAK does next....
Pakistan Parliament should priortise . A good solid relation based on trust and respect is in interest of both Pakistan and USA
Lets get realistic here !!!!!!!!
There is no point BASHING ABOUT the HAND THAT FEEDS US !!!!
We need to learn to LEARN & EARN and FEED OURSELVES !!!!!!!
People of Pakistan wont let their Gov. to restore supplies, Hillary u will be disappointed
If any visit by a top ranking American official is required, its none other than Mr. Obama himself. Its interesting so many thing happened in the years of his presidency, he visited every country in the world that was important to US interests, even Afghanistan but not Pakistan! What a tragedy.
So Nusrat, why do you have a problem with this. National issues need time to make decisions. It is not a discussion session where people talk things which they don't even understand. Diplomatic issuemove with speed of snail, and there are good reasons behind this approach.
Those parties in parliament which are eyeing few seats in next election will let her come and will support resumption of supplies