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Pakistan, US conclude talks on security issues

ISLAMABAD, July 24(APP)- Senior officials from Pakistan and United States Thursday wrapped up their crucial talks on Kashmir, security and nuclear-related issues and decided to meet again in Washington in late August. Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmad led Pakistani side at the talks with Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott held for three consecutive days. Talbott also met with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan and Chief of Army Staff Jehangir Karamat. The visit of US Special envoy to Islamabad is part of the ongoing dialogue and constructive engagement between Pakistan and the Untied States on the entire range of bilateral relations and security issues of concern to the two sides. The discussion in Islamabad has been a continuation of the meetings held by Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmad in Washington three weeks ago. The two sides discussed the regional and global dimensions of the security situation in the aftermath of the May nuclear tests, non-proliferation, arms control, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and confidence building measures.

Country's security safeguard to determine acceding to CTBT:Shamshad

ISLAMABAD, July 24 (APP)- Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmed on Thursday said Pakistan's timing of acceding to CTBT can only be determined when the country's vital security concerns are fully safeguarded. He was speaking to reporters at the conclusion of three-round talks with US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott here at the Foreign Office. Replying to a question about Pakistan's position on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty(CTBT), Shamshad Ahmed said it is only "a question of acceding to this important international instrument in time." "And timing can be determined only when we are absolutely sure that our vital security concerns have been fully safeguarded," he asserted. Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmed said while arriving at a decision about signing the CTBT, Pakistan will consider what are its vital national interests and would not do so under any coercion. During the talks, he said, Pakistan emphasized that there should be no duress in this regard. Secondly, he stated, there has to be a clear demonstration of collective engagement on the part of the major powers in the process of peace and security in South Asia "which has to focus on Kashmir."