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Pakistan, US to constitute group to undertake strategic review

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 11, IRNA - Pakistan and the United States have decided to constitute one group from each side to undertake the strategic review of the existing policy and formulate a new approach to address the problem of terrorism and extremism, the Foreign Minister said Tuesday.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi speaking at a conference following a meeting with US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke in Islamabad, said the Pakistani group would be led by the Foreign Minister while Holbrooke will lead his country's team.

The two teams would sit together and share their views.

He said it was felt during the meeting that involvement of Pakistan in drafting a new strategy would give it greater ownership and promote greater understanding. He said Pakistan will share its experiences of the last ten years as it understands the terrain, culture, traditions and religious beliefs more than any one else.

Holbrooke invited the Pakistani team to visit Washington at the earliest possible and the Foreign Minister accepted the invitation.

During the talks, Pakistan also proposed that in view of greater understanding and trust between the new democratic Government in Pakistan and President Hamid Karzai, there should also be a three way meeting to discuss the issues involved.

The Foreign Minister said that the two sides agreed during the meeting on a regional approach to the problem of terrorism and extremism. The United States also shared Pakistan's position that there was need to adopt a multi-pronged and comprehensive approach. The Foreign Minister described it as a pleasant change in the thinking of the new US administration.

The Pakistani side told the United States that along with the military surge in Afghanistan, which will also have implications for Pakistan as well, there should be economic and political surge as well.

About drone attacks, Qureshi said he told the US Special Representative that there is need to weigh advantages and disadvantages of these attacks and that Pakistan is convinced that these were counter productive.

Pakistan also emphasized that there should be red lines indicating what is acceptable and not acceptable to Pakistan and similarly what is acceptable and not acceptable to the United States. This would help improve cooperation and minimize confusion.

The US official told Pakistan that President Obama has special attachment with Pakistan and Indonesia.

Replying to a question, the Foreign Minister said the Mumbai incident did not figure in today's meeting with Holbrooke.

To another question, he said Pakistan has explained to the outside world that the relief to Dr. A. Q. Khan was provided by the independent judiciary and important capitals feel reassured on the issue. He said the A. Q. Khan issue is a close chapter now.

Information Minister Sherry Rehman said the appointment of Holbrooke as the special envoy and his visit to Pakistan is a new beginning and this is acknowledgement of importance that Washington accords to Islamabad.

She said the visit is also reflective of the regional approach to the issue of militancy and terrorism.

The Information Minister said the new Government in Pakistan is battling extremism and militancy on all possible fronts including dialogue.

She said this is the fact finding visit of Holbrooke to this region and the United States acknowledges the challenges facing Pakistan.