US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte on Thursday dispelled the impression that the United States was exerting pressure on Pakistan to carry out activities that only served the US interest and said his country wanted to deal with the problem of terrorism in a way that was beneficial to both the countries.
Flanked by US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher and officials of the US diplomatic corps, Negroponte, addressing a news conference here, however, wondered how one could hold talks with “irreconcilable” militants who were hell-bent on destroying “our way of life”.
“I don’t understand how anybody could hold talks with violent extremists. We believe that a multi-faceted approach comprising security measures as well as economic development is required to deal with the curse of extremism,” he said.
However, he said some hardliners could be persuaded to participate in the democratic political process. He said there were two types of extremists: those who are irreconcilable and those who can reconcile, and the latter can be dealt with in a democratic way, maintaining nations act in their own interest and it is not surprising at all.
Responding to queries regarding timing of his visit to Pakistan, he said schedule of the visit was finalised some two months back.“I make periodic visits to Pakistan and my current visit gave me an excellent opportunity to congratulate Pakistani leadership (following their success in the polls).
“There was no hidden agenda in the timing of his visit to Pakistan and he did not desire or intention to interfere in the political process under way in Pakistan,” he said. The US deputy secretary of state also rejected reports that they were advised by the Pakistan’s foreign office to reschedule or postpone their visit, saying: “We are not aware of any such foreign office advice or request.”
He held out an assurance of long-term US commitment to working with all Pakistani leaders on a full spectrum of bilateral issues: from fighting terrorism to improving educational and economic opportunities.
Negroponte said the US-Pakistan partnership remains strong, and that they envision a continued close and productive alliance beneficial to both countries.He said Pakistani leaders expressed the desire for strong and sustained friendship with the US in economic and security matters. In the days to come, the US looks forward to engaging Pakistan’s new government on how best to promote economic growth and reduce poverty.
Negroponte maintained this is an important time in Pakistan’s history, as the new leadership takes office and begins to set legislative agenda, and new government starts to take shape.He said during their talks with President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani they expressed support for democratic transition under way in Pakistan and reaffirmed the US commitment to Pakistani people.
Rejecting reports that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif termed his visit ‘unwanted’, he made it clear that the PML-N leadership not only received him but they also had a “long, friendly and good meeting” and added the PML-N reaffirmed the desire to have good relations with the US.
He said during their visit to Peshawar and Landi Kotal, they discussed security and development aspects with NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, Corps Commander Gen Masood Alam, tribal elders and Khyber political agent.
“Our delegation also received briefings on the US assistance for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) that is $150 million per year, and how our two governments are using these funds to build much-needed roads and schools.”
He said he held meetings with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and members of the American Business Council in the city.Agencies add: US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said on Thursday that Washington will respect “whatever is decided” about President Pervez Musharraf’s status through the political process.
Asked during a press conference here if the purpose of his visit is to rescue embattled President Pervez Musharraf, Negroponte said it was for the political process in Pakistan to decide the future of the former army general.
“As far as Musharraf’s status, he is president of the country. We met with him in that capacity and any debate or disposition with regard to his status is of course something that is to be addressed by (the) Pakistani political process.”
He said the US would “certainly respect what is decided in that regard”.He categorically said that his visit was certainly not an attempt to interfere in the ongoing political arrangements in Pakistan.
“We are here to congratulate the leadership of Pakistan for the successful conduct of recent elections and to be able to reaffirm the strong friendship and support that we have for you country”, he said.
Asked about the Washington Post report which states that the United States had escalated air strikes on al-Qaeda fighters in tribal areas to inflict as much damage as it could because Musharraf might not be able to offer much more help and Islamabad’s support could slip, Negroponte said it contained “misinformation and incorrect facts”.
“We want to deal with the issue of militant extremism and other problems that we confront in a mutually agreeable way,” he said.“These problems, if they’re going to be dealt with on a sustainable basis, must be dealt with on a basis of partnership.”
He said in his talks he had encountered no doubts about the threat militants posed.“There was a lot of common ground there and there’s common understanding that this is an issue that’s got to be dealt within a multi-faceted way,” he said.Asked about calls for talks with militants, Negroponte said there was no single solution.