US official parries question on Iran N-issue
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, May 28, IRNA
Pakistan-US
The United States Assistant Secretary of State, Christina Rocca, has parried a question when asked would not it undercut the US position if Iran's program was proved indigenous and peaceful.
"I cannot discuss the operational aspects of the issue here," she replied when asked during an interview with a local TV channel broadcast on Saturday.
She said her country was supporting the diplomatic efforts including the European Union channel in talks with Tehran "to let the Iranians know that the ball is in their court".
Pakistan has called for peaceful settlement of Iran-US stand-off on Tehran's nuclear program and backed the EU initiative in this connection.
On the desecration of the Holy Quran, she said that the issue was being investigated and anyone found guilty would be sent to jail.
"This is something intolerable to Pakistan but also in the US this is simply intolerable as Washington stands for freedom of worship."
The reports about the desecration of the Holy Book by the US investigators at its detention center in Guantanamo Bay has sent a wave of anguish and anger all across the Muslim world.
Strong protest demonstrations have been held in Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere to condemn the desecration, demanding apology from the US President George W Bush.
Asked if Guantanamo Bay is being seen as anti-Statue of Liberty and why should it not be closed, Rocca said she would let the Pentagon answer this question.
However, she added the desecration of the Holy Quran is "hitting the very core of US values".
Regarding the US on-ground involvement in the war on terror within Pakistan, she said that "it is Pakistanis who are nabbing the militants".
Rocca arrived here on Wednesday on a 3-day visit during which the US official met the Pakistani leadership.
MHA/TSH/1430/1412
::IRNA No.036 28/05/2005 15:20 --End
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
