Sanctions if Pakistan builds gas pipeline with Iran: Clinton

The US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton has said that Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project wil be a violation of American sanctions on Iran and could have serious consequences on the assistance provided to Pakistan. While speaking during a hearing of the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programmes Subcommittee of the Congress Appropriations Committee on Financial Year 2013 Budget for the State Department Wednesday, she said “the proposed Pakistan-Iran pipeline, if built, could raise serious concerns under the Iran Sanctions Act. We have made that absolutely clear, and have raised this issue with the government of Pakistan, she informed the House in response to a question.The US administration, she said, recognized that Pakistan had significant energy requirements. For the last three years, weve been working to help them upgrade their existing energy infrastructure, to look at potential new sources of energy.There is an alternative that we do strongly support, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline. So we think that that is a better alternative, both in terms of predictability and to avoid doing business with Iran, she said while explaining the alternatives being discussed with Pakistan.Clinton said that the US was ratcheting up pressure on Iran, and it seems somewhat inexplicable that Pakistan would be trying to negotiate a pipeline. If and when this pipeline goes beyond just talk, then we will address it, consistent with US law and policy, she warned.When asked to explain possible action against Pakistan in case the pipeline project goes ahead, she said we believe that actually beginning the construction of such a pipeline, either as an Iranian project or as a joint project, would violate our Iran sanctions law. So, you know, we all know what the consequences of that are. And it would be particularly damaging to Pakistan because their economy is already quite shaky, she emphasised sounding out a clear warning to Pakistan.This additional pressure that the United States would be compelled to apply would further undermine their economic status, she said hinting at withdrawal of US assistance to Pakistan in case such a project was executed on-ground. Weve been, you know, very clear in pointing out the consequences of pursuing such a pipeline, she observed.Chairman of the Committee, Kay Granger, Republican from Texas, hoped the administration will continue to focus on efforts in the front-line states, that you can solidify the militarys accomplishments in Iraq, identify sustainable solutions once our troops leave Afghanistan, and ensure that extremists no longer have safe havens in Pakistan. Theres so much at stake in these countries.Ranking member of the House Committee, Nita Lowey, Democrat from New York, also expressed concern on the role that Pakistan is playing in the region and the challenges we face in that relationship, and I hope you will discuss the administrations plans for these two critical countries.Secretary Clinton, however, said that the budget requests for 2013 would allow the United States administration to sustain our vital national security missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and reflects temporary, extraordinary costs of operating on the frontlines.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC