US army chief arrives in Islamabad
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, April 20, IRNA -- Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen arrived in Pakistan for talks on security issues, focusing on the anti-terror war and how to ease tension between the tow allies.
Mullen is scheduled to meet Pakistan military and political leadership after his trip to Afghanistan, where he admitted ties with Islamabad was passing through critical phase.
Adm. Mullen also said he would push Pakistanis for more actions against the Taliban of Pakistan.
According to officials, this is Mullen’s 22nd visit to Pakistan.
Pakistan and the United States have increased talks to ease the months of tension between the two countries particularly between the intelligence agencies over key issues, including the US drone strikes and clandestine CIA operations.
Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, is set to meet senior American diplomats in Washington in the coming days.
Bashir, who left for the US on Tuesday, is scheduled to start talks on Thursday.
He would also discuss the upcoming visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to the United States.
Both sides would also talk about the revival of the trilateral dialogue process, involving Afghanistan, for peace and security in the war-shattered country.
Top military leaders and diplomats are meeting with high hopes but a little could be expected as the US seemed to be unwilling to budge an inch from its position on the drone strikes on Pakistani and to divulge details of the number and activities of the CIA agents across the country.
Pakistan has repeatedly sought information and even called for their withdrawal but it has not received any positive response.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30347966
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