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Summary The US has again expressed concerns over Pak-Iran gas pipeline project.
The United States has once again expressed reservations over the proposed Pak-Iran gas pipeline project. Answering a question Tuesday regarding the meeting of Pakistani and Iranian officials a day ago, spokesperson of the US state department, Victoria Nuland said we are talking to the Pakistanis about it, as part of the global effort to increase pressure on Iran.We think this gas pipeline project is a bad idea and Pakistan should stay away from it, she explicitly stated adding that US was also giving Pakistan alternative options for acquiring sources of energy. She, however, did not reply another question whether the US sanctions on Iran will affect the American assistance to Pakistan, in case the country decides to go ahead with the pipeline deal despite US opposition.When asked to comment on a New York Times report that US was considering an apology to Pakistan on the NATO airstrike to move ahead from the deadlock, she said we cant talk about all these issues in detail unless and until Pakistan completes its internal review.We are waiting to hear from Pakistan so that we can sit down and discuss it. We want to discuss full range of issues and where we go with Pakistan unless their review is complete, she reiterated, but did not comment on repeated questions whether US was ready to consider an apology to PakistanOn a question about Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillanis visit to Qatar, she sdenied that PM Gillani was meeting any US officials in Qatar. She was reluctant to answer whether the said visit was part of efforts to talk to Taliban, as a follow-up of Ambassador Marc Grossmans visit. She only remarked that Pakistan is supportive of the reconciliation process.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC
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