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DCC reviews current situation

ISLAMABAD, July 17 (APP): The Defence Committee of the Cabinet DCC) met here Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, extensively reviewed the current situation particularly in the framework of the security and strategic considerations. The Ministers for Finance, Foreign and Interior, the three Services Chiefs and some Federal Secretaries participated in the meeting. The DCC also reviewed other defence-related and economic situation also came under consideration, says an official announcement. The Committee also held a discussion on the Afghanistan situation and reviewed the progress of the Prime Minister's initiative to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan, especially in the context of the agreement of the parties for a broad-based government. The recently-held Pakistan-Iran contacts and their results were also taken into account. The DCC also comprehensively discussed issues which will be at the forefront in the SAARC Summit at Colombo including Pakistan-India relations and the expected meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries.

Pakistan welcomes US Senate decision on economic sanctions

ISLAMABAD, July 17 (APP): Pakistan has welcomed the US Senate decision to give President Clinton the authority to lift economic sanctions imposed after the nuclear tests. A Foreign Office spokesman said, "Islamabad welcomes it as a positive step which will eventually lead to the lifting of all economic sanctions." He said, "a cooperative approach which gives recognition and understanding to mutual concerns will work better than a coercive approach which is always counterproductive." The US Senate approved the legislation by a voice vote moved by Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback. The move came a day after President Clinton signed into law an exemption for the export of agricultural products to Pakistan and India. The Clinton administration had asked Congress on Monday for authority to waive the economic sanctions just imposed on India and Pakistan, saying it would give the United States more leverage in slowing the arms race in South Asia. ``Our purpose is not to punish for punishment's sake, but to influence the behaviour of both governments,'' ``We do not wish for unnecessary harm to fall on the civilian populations of either country ... or on U.S. businesses,'' Karl F. Inderfurth, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs told a Senate hearing.

Talbott arriving on July 22

ISLAMABAD, July 17 (APP): US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott is expected to arrive here on July 22 to hold talks with Pakistani leadership, officials said Thursday. The two-day visit has gained added significance as it takes place after Clinton Administration's getting broad authority to temporarily lift all economic sanctions against Pakistan and India imposed after May's nuclear tests. Islamabad has welcomed it as "a positive step which will eventually lead to lifting of all economic sanctions." A Foreign Office Spokesman said a cooperative approach which gives recognition and understanding to mutual concerns will work better than a coercive approach which is always counter-productive.