 |
| |
WEEKLY
SECTIONS |
 |
| |
|
 |
Holbrook expects Pakistan’s situation won’t get parallel to March 16 crisis |
| |
Updated at:
1535
PST, Tuesday, November 03, 2009 |
| |
WASHINGTON (Sami Abraham): Expressing the hope that Pakistan's current domestic political situation would not get parallel to March 16 crisis when top US officials had to make phone calls to Pakistani leadership to sort out the issue of restoration of judiciary, Special US Presidentional Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan , ambassador Holbrook has said that United States never chooses sides but only supports the leadership of constitutionally elected Governments.
Giving an exclusive interview to The News at the State Department here on Monday evening ambassador Holbrook said though during the recent trip of secretary Clinton to Pakistan ,this issue of NRO was not much discussed but the US officials were fully aware of it." Pakistanis are very sensitive to the issue of their sovereignty that’s why I don’t want to say any thing about it “he added
Ambassador Holbrook when asked does he believe that the unfolding events , due to NRO issue, would lead to the point where Washington would have to make the phone calls to scale back the situation, ambassador Holbrook said " I hope not. But let's see what happeened. We are interested in stability, democracy and active leadership and people working in the system in an orderly way". He further said “We got involved in March because the issue had potential to spiral out of control into the streets and secondly all sides had thought that if we made some phone calls it would help so we did it .But we never supported any cause. We only asked all sides to show restraint" he added.
Holbrook when asked to comment on the reports in which top US officials had said that Pakistani security forces were not going after Alqaeda the way they should have been, he said that Pakistani Government was very serious about routing out the miscreants and militants at highest levels. Now does this mean that every person in the pakistan army is equally committed to this cause the answer is “probably not" he added.
Ambassador Holbrook said that Gen Ashfaq Kayani and Gen Pasha had said to Secretary Clinton, in a meeting in Islamabad that “we are as committed as you are to this cause " and I believe in them, ambassador Holbrook added. He further said that security operation in Waziristan was going very well and he was not saying this because Pak army was telling him this thing. Independent residents of the area have told him that this time the security forces are coming on these militants very heavily, he added.
To a question about Pakistan’s complaints that India was supporting militants in tribel area and insurgents in Balochistan , he said Pakistani leadership did raise this issue in the meeting and US officials fully understands these concerns.
Ambassador Holbrook said that the trip of Secretary Clinton was, perhaps, one of the most remarkable trip he ever had with any Secretary of state. He said Secretary Clinton, during the trip spent most of the time with public besides fielding the toughest questions imaginable. And she also had very useful private meetings with President Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, leaders of JUI and military leaders. He also mentioned how Secretary Clinton got emotional during the reception at the Presidential palace when she threw away her speech for the toast , went up to the podium and leaned into the podium , talked about Benazir Bhutto in a very emotional way how much she admired her and what she meant to her.
When asked does he believe that opponents of Kerry Lugar bill were, now convinced, that it was not a compromise on Pakistan's sovereignty, ambassador Holbrook said that he does not know whether they were able to convince any body but he said it was explained fully.
He said those who attacked the Kerry Lugar bill did not understand it.It did not have any set of condition for Pakistan. It has set of reporting requirement on US Government which was a standard practice in the case of all such legislation's. He said enemies of relationship between India and Pakistan portrayed Kerry Lugar bill as an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty which was “ridiculous"
He said those who oppose the Kery Lugar Bill are the ones who either oppose the present Pakistani Government or supporting the taliban
Amabassador Holbrook said as Secretary Clinton mentioned in one of her conversation that there should never have been any issues with Kerry Lugar Bill because these kinds of reporting requirements had been attached with every aid bill to Pakistan and any other country. But there was a communication failure on the part of US officials for not explain it properly to the people of Pakistan
He said that there should have been more money allocated for people of Pakistan in Kerry Lugar bill but it was upto the Congress to take a decision in this regard. He said strategic dialogue will be resumed between the United states and Pakistan , next year , and US secretary of State Hillary Clinton will lead the US delegation whereas previously deputy secretary of state used to lead such dialouge. He said now under the Kerry Lugar bill US administration will move for the full appropriation of the money besides making efforts to get the ROZ's legislation done in the US Congress.
|
| |
|
|
| |
More Updates |
|
Turkey 'gives Israel deadline' for drone delivery |
Updated at:
1955
PST |
|
FBR transfers raise eyebrows in trade circles |
Updated at:
1950
PST |
|
190 Peshawar police officers killed in terrorist attacks |
Updated at:
1940
PST |
|
Top model hangs herself |
Updated at:
1935
PST |
|
Four hurt in Kabul rocket attack |
Updated at:
1935
PST |
|
14 terrorists killed, 6 soldiers martyred in SWA |
Updated at:
1930
PST |
|
Four injured in rocket attack in Afghan capital: official |
Updated at:
1925
PST |
|
SBP accepts bids of Rs 145.65 bln in OMO |
Updated at:
1845
PST |
|
Sajjad moves to 2nd round in World Snooker C’ship |
Updated at:
1820
PST |
|
Army to work in sync with govt for Swat rehab: Kayani |
Updated at:
1810
PST |
|
Many displaced in heavy rains, floods in Canada |
Updated at:
1805
PST |
|
Karachi: blast at cylinders shop kills 4, hurts 3 |
Updated at:
1800
PST |
|
State Minister for Law met PM before press conference |
Updated at:
1755
PST |
|
Zardari tops list of NRO beneficiaries |
Updated at:
1750
PST |
|
Two killed in blast at cylinders shop in Karachi |
Updated at:
1750
PST |
|
PCB decides to send Jaffer with U-19 team |
Updated at:
1730
PST |
|
Obama praised for taking up Tibet with China |
Updated at:
1650
PST |
|
NRO beneficiaries list issued |
Updated at:
1630
PST |
|
Federer and Nadal ready to battle for number one spot |
Updated at:
1615
PST |
|
Al-Qaeda seizes Japan hostage in Yemen: tribal source |
Updated at:
1600
PST |
|
Malik says will quit if Blackwater exists in country |
Updated at:
1535
PST |
|
Sri Lanka to release 136,000 war-displaced Tamils |
Updated at:
1500
PST |
|
S African president meets Miss World contestants |
Updated at:
1400
PST |
|
Air France's first A380 reaches New York |
Updated at:
1345
PST |
|
Henry seeks replay of game |
Updated at:
1320
PST |
|
Scientists restart Big Bang machine |
Updated at:
1300
PST |
|
India says no rice imports for now |
Updated at:
1245
PST |
|
Interest rate likely go down in SBP new monetary policy |
Updated at:
1240
PST |
|
Malik ready to resign if Blackwater in Pakistan |
Updated at:
1215
PST |
|
Death threats for Thai PM in pro-Thaksin stronghold |
Updated at:
1200
PST |
|
Commodities attract investors: Barclays Capital |
Updated at:
1145
PST |
|
Rich events mark Universal Children’s Day |
Updated at:
1140
PST |
|
Gas leakage causes blast outside Peshawar NGO office: police |
Updated at:
1125
PST |
|
US experts to visit Pyongyang before envoy |
Updated at:
1100
PST |
|
Obama's Senate allies gear up for key health vote Saturday |
Updated at:
1050
PST |
|
Seven hurt in Philippines grenade attack |
Updated at:
1040
PST |
|
31 dead, 82 trapped after China mine blast |
Updated at:
1040
PST |
|
Sheikh Hasina chosen for Indira Gandhi peace award |
Updated at:
1035
PST |
|
Forex reserves up to 5 month high level: SBP |
Updated at:
1030
PST |
|
High-living Singapore monk jailed for 10 months for fraud |
Updated at:
1025
PST |
|
4 security men killed in NWA rocket attack |
Updated at:
1020
PST |
|
Somali girl stoned to death for adultery |
Updated at:
1015
PST |
|
Cop martyred, SHO hurt in Karachi shooting |
Updated at:
1010
PST |
|
Hasan discussed money transfer with radical cleric: report |
Updated at:
1005
PST |
|
15 dead, 114 trapped after China mine blast |
Updated at:
1000
PST |
|
Ahl-e-Sunnat leader Ilyas Zubair killed, spokesman hurt |
Updated at:
0945
PST |
|
Australia issues 'catastrophic' alerts as fires rage |
Updated at:
0930
PST |
|
11 killed, 128 trap in China mine blast |
Updated at:
0900
PST |
|
Taiwan PM urges China to withdraw missiles: report |
Updated at:
0850
PST |
|
Afghan govt would fall if NATO withdraws: Miliband |
Updated at:
0830
PST |
|
Dozens of miners trapped after China mine blast |
Updated at:
0815
PST |
|
One hurt in rocket attack on NGO office in Peshawar |
Updated at:
0800
PST |
|
Karzai an 'unworthy partner': top US Democrat |
Updated at:
0730
PST |
|
Blast heard in Peshawar |
Updated at:
0700
PST |
|
Manmohan to hold official visit to USA |
Updated at:
0630
PST |
|
UN chief hails new head of EU |
Updated at:
0545
PST |
|
No objection to Mirwaiz's China visit: India |
Updated at:
0500
PST |
|
McCain links success in Afghan war with more troops |
Updated at:
0430
PST |
|
President, PM grieved over sad demise of GM Jatoi |
Updated at:
0330
PST |
|
CCP fines PIA for Rs10 mln |
Updated at:
0300
PST |
|
Aamir Atlas shocks Gregory Gaultier at Qatar Open |
Updated at:
0230
PST |
|
Courts will decide NRO cases: Fehmida |
Updated at:
0200
PST |
|
US still hopes Iran will change mind on nuclear deal |
Updated at:
0130
PST |
|
|
ISSN 1563-9479 
