Olson’s viewpoint: ‘Talks or operation, it’s Pakistan’s call’

Adds that US did have interest in foreign groups that threaten it.

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador Richard Olson has said the US will be supportive of whatever course of action the Pakistan government takes against Taliban and other terrorist groups. Olson said whether to take military action against the Taliban or to hold peace talks was Pakistan’s ‘internal matter’. “This is up to the Pakistan govt, and US will support it,” he said, adding that the US was not against the peace process. He however, added that US did have an interest in foreign groups that threaten it. Talking about stoppage of Nato supplies by PTI in K-P, he said US had an agreement with Pakistan for keeping Ground Lines of Communication open for the Nato supplies, and Pakistan had assured that its border with Torkham was open. Olson said the agreement was also with a commercial intent as it provided business and employment opportunity for Pakistani businessmen involved in the field of transportation and related activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2014.