US has no designs against Pak N-assets: FO

Pakistan

US has no designs against Pak N-assets: FO

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Senator Kerry said that it was important to press the reset button in US-Pakistan relations.

16 May,2011 08:02 pm

Foreign Office said that President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had a constructive exchange of views with Senator John Kerry on the situation arising out of Abbottabad operation and the death of Osama bin Laden.According to a joint statement issued by Pakistan and United States on Monday, Senator Kerry conveyed that the secrecy surrounding the operation was strictly for reasons of operational security and not due to mistrust of Pakistani leadership. He opined we should use this opportunity to put the relations back on track and work jointly to bring about the most effective cooperation to combat terrorism, which is in both countries’ interest.The Pakistani leadership conveyed to Senator Kerry that Osama Bin Laden was an enemy of Pakistan and the Al-Qaeda had declared war against Pakistan and launched wave after wave of suicide attacks against its people. Pakistani leaders said that relations between both the countries should go forward on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual interest.According to the Foreign Office, it was agreed that both US and Pakistan must recognise and respect each other’s national interests, particularly in countering terrorism and in working together for promoting reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan.Pakistan’s leadership welcomed the clear affirmation by Senator Kerry that US policy has no designs against Pakistan’s nuclear and strategic assets.