President Zardari and Hillary Clinton discuss security‚ counter-terrorism cooperation and regional situation including Afghanistan in New York
President Asif Ali Zardari and US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton discussed bilateral ties and Afghan peace process‚ in New York on Monday.
Our Special correspondent Murtaza Solangi from New York reports that President was assisted in the meeting by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar‚ Ambassador Sherry Rehman‚ Mr. Asfandyar Wali‚ Mr. Farooq Sattar and Mr. Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar.
US secretary of state was assisted by Deputy Secretary Tom Nides‚ Ambassador Marc Grossman‚ Gen. Douglas Lute ‚ State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland and other senior State Department officials.
The two leaders took the opportunity to review recent positive developments in the relationship including the opening of the GLOCs‚ the high level contacts between the two sides‚ the signing of MOU on the upgradation of the Peshawar Torkham road and the release of the CSF reimbursements.
The President and Secretary Clinton had an in-depth conversation on the way forward. The two also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and how Pakistan and the United States could cooperate in helping bring peace and stability in that country. Secretary Clinton said we should build on the positive momentum.
The President assured Secretary Clinton that Pakistan was prepared to do everything to help an Afghan owned and Afghan led reconciliation process in Afghanistan. He also conveyed that peace and stability in Pakistan is tied to peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said no country has paid a higher price for the conflict in Afghanistan than Pakistan.
The President also took the opportunity to express the deep dismay of the people of Pakistan at the blasphemous video. He said one or two insane persons should not be allowed to endanger world peace in the garb of freedom of expression.
The President thanked Secretary Clinton for US assistance to Pakistan and stressed the need that rather spreading it too thin‚ the US should focus on large signature projects. He also stressed the importance of granting Pakistani products‚ particularly textiles‚ greater access to the US market. President said Pakistan would rather do trade than depend on aid.
The President also invited the US to become a partner in the Diamir Bhasha Dam project. He said that this will dispel the impression that the US only works to its own priorities in Pakistan.
Earlier briefing the media in New York‚ ambassador Masood Khan said the president will have meetings with British Prime Minister David Cameron‚ Afghan President Hamid Karzai‚ and the Chinese Foreign Minister and other leaders.
During these meetings‚ he will discuss bilateral as well regional and international issues.
Masood Khan said President Zardari will talk about the hate messages such as the recent blasphemous movie and the threat it poses to world peace and the stability.
He said Pakistan will reiterate its position on Syrian crisis to end the bloodbath in the brotherly country.
To a question about Afghanistan‚ the ambassador said the president will also attend a tri-lateral conference on Afghanistan with the British Prime Minister David Cameron and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
He said no country is more interested in peaceful Afghanistan than Pakistan as it directly affects us. He said Pakistan is working with all the countries for peace in Afghanistan and believes in Afghan-owned and Afghan-led solution.
The ambassador‚ who is likely to return to New York next month as the new permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations‚ said President Zardari will also attend a major event on Polio eradication. It will also be attended by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Bill Gates.
He further reports from New York that President will also suggest international legislation to stop reoccurrence of acts of blasphemy.
Earlier‚ President Zardari arrived in New York on a commercial flight from London and was received at the JFK Airport by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar‚ Pakistan's Ambassador to US Sherry Rehman and Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN Abdullah Hussain Haroon amongst others.
