US for positive ties with Pakistan despite challenges

The acting US Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs, Michael Hammer has said that the United States was committed to a positive relationship with Pakistan despite the upheavels throughout last year. Clearly, we have had a very challenging and difficult period in our relationship with Pakistan, but I think both capitals, and both peoples, and both governments realize that we need to get through this difficult period and continue to work together, he stated.While addressing the media at Washington, DCs Foreign Press Center Monday, he said the extremist threat is a threat for Pakistan, as well as to the United States.Pakistan has put tremendous efforts forward and lost a lot of lives in fighting the extremists who want to do harm to Pakistanis, as well as to Americans and our allies, he opined.Commenting on the possibilities of bringing the relationship back on track, he said we wait for the determination of the Pakistani parliament in terms of what they find, but continue to reach out to the authorities in Pakistan.We feel that we need to work together to address these challenges, in order to start to bring some peace for the people in these areas, and to try to eliminate the threat of terrorism against our people, both Pakistanis, Americans and other allies, he argued.When asked to comment about the expectations of the US administrations from the recommendations of the Pakistani parliamentary review, he said I would not venture to forecast as to where well head in terms of the bilateral relationship.But again, because there is a willingness on both sides to continue to work together, I think well navigate through these difficult and troubled waters and find a common ground, because thats what ultimately leads and serves both countries interests.So well continue to work at it, we continue to have discussions, productive ones on some issues, even while there are other challenges and well just see what the days and weeks ahead have in store, but from the part of the United States, clearly we are interested in a positive relationship that benefits both countries, he reiterated.On another question about the ongoing reconciliation efforts with Taliban for achieving peace in Afghnaistan, Mike Hammer said we are looking to work through reconciliation talks with the Taliban, and we are interested in testing the preposition as to whether they are prepared to seriously move forward and accepting, you now, the Afghan constitution, and to renounce violence and al-Qaeda, and work to see if peace is achievable.But I think at this point, we continue to, sort of, focus on this effort knowing that in order to resolve this conflict, not only do we have to continue, as the Secretary Clinton says, to fight, but we also talk at the same time and build. And there is an ongoing effort diplomatically by Ambassador Grossman and his team to see what might be possible, but I dont have any news to make on that here today, he stated while declining to divulge further details of the outcome of these efforts so far.When questioned about the release of five Guantanamo prisoners on the demands of Taliban as part of the reconciliation effort, he said that no such decision had been made yet. Specifically, on the transfer of detainees, I think you have seen press reporting, where we made clear that this is not in the works at the moment, he said.We have obviously looked to, the President has worked to, try to close Guantanamo, but we still are working through issues relating to that, he said if there was any possibility of the closure of the infamous detention facility in the near future.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC