US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today said Pakistani and American troops are in a fight against a common enemy which is terrorism.
At DC today, Ms. Clinton cites that she spoke by telephone with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
She once again reiterated the US deepest regrets for the tragic incident in Salala last November.
“I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives.” -Ms. Clinton
She says Foreign Minister Khar and her acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives.
Both countries are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military.
Ms. Clinton stresses both countries are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again.
“As I told the former Prime Minister of Pakistan days after the Salala incident, America respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and is committed to working together in pursuit of shared objectives on the basis of mutual interests and mutual respect.” -Ms. Clinton
In today’s phone call, Ms. Clinton states that Foreign Minister Khar and her talked about the importance of taking coordinated action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the United States, and the region; of supporting Afghanistan’s security, stability, and efforts towards reconciliation; and of continuing to work together to advance the many other shared interests.
“Our countries should have a relationship that is enduring, strategic, and carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our nations and the region.” -Ms. Clinton
She notes that both countries are both sorry for losses suffered by both our countries in this fight against terrorists.
Both parties have enhanced their counter-terrorism cooperation against terrorists that threaten Pakistan and the United States, with the goal of defeating Al-Qaida in the region, she noted.
Ms. Clinton says she was pleased that Foreign Minister Khar has informed her that the ground supply lines (GLOC) into Afghanistan are opening.
Pakistan will continue not to charge any transit fee in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region, she cited.
“This is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan’s support for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region.” -Ms. Clinton
She reiterates the US deep appreciation to the Government and the people of Pakistan for their many sacrifices and their critical contribution to the ongoing fight against terrorism and extremism.
In October lasy year, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stressed that U.S. relationship with Pakistan is critical to the ongoing stability and peace of the region, as well as the fight against terrorism.
At the question and answer segment of at the Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture Series, Ms. Clinton said that it is important to take note that Pakistanis have paid a much greater price in the war against terrorism and in the violence perpetrated on them over the last 10 years.
Nearly 30,000 people have been killed – civilians and military, scores of bombing attacks all over the country in places from mosques to markets to universities to police stations due to rise of terrorism.
She highlighted that the Pakistani people are trying to navigate through a very difficult security environment. She said the Pakistanis have a great stake in trying to end terrorism against themselves.
In addition, The United States of America reaffirmed its commitment to enhance and advance its bilateral relationship with Pakistan.
On his visit to Islamabad in Pakistan, Deputy Secretary Thomas Nides met Pakistani Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh to discuss about the future of their important bilateral relationship.
Both countries engaged in discussion on how they can expand and enhance economic, security and political cooperation.
The United States believes that it can achieve a balanced approach to its relationship with Pakistan as it relates to their sovereignty and interests but also respects U.S. interests.
One interest both countries share is the growth of their economies to create jobs and prosperity for all of their citizens.
Both countries continue to cooperate on the Kerry-Lugar-Berman funding.
Since October of 2009, both countries have provided over $2.6 billion in civilian assistance to Pakistan, including more than $800 million in emergency assistance to respond to the floods and the conflict, Mr. Nides noted.
The United States recognizes Pakistan’s need when it comes to energy as well.
In fact, the United States has collaborated with the Pakistani Government to fund work on the Tarbela Dam, and other major energy projects.
The energy projects has expanded Pakistan’s electricity-generation capacity to over 400 megawatts to bring electricity to over 6 million Pakistanis.
By the end of 2013, both countries’ goal is to have another 900 megawatts to the national grid to provide electricity to over 10 million Pakistanis, which is critically important to the people of Pakistan, Mr. Nides stressed.
The United States also continues to sponsor the world’s largest Fulbright program in Pakistan, which brought more than 1,000 Pakistani scholars traveling to the United States since 2005.
The relationship between the United States and Pakistan is vital to US shared security and economic prosperity.
The United States continues to assert the relevance of cooperation with Pakistan to American national security.
On March 2009, President Obama, President Karzai, President Zardari, and senior members of their governments reaffirmed their commitments to a peaceful and cooperative future for Afghanistan and Pakistan and to combat the spread of extremism and terrorism.
The three countries resolved to strengthen their strategic partnership based on a shared commitment toward promoting enduring peace, security, stability and economic cooperation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They also expressed a shared desire to deepen the strategic dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan and to continue a trilateral dialogue. The United States reaffirmed its strong commitment to the strategic partnerships at the bilateral level with both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
