PM seeks US Congress’s support in transfer of drone technology to Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday urged the US Congress for using its influence with the administration to agree on a joint strategy under which the drone technology should be transferred to Pakistan. He said the US should refrain from drone attacks and instead share credible intelligence to enable Pakistan to take actions against the terrorists, itself. The Prime Minister was talking to a US Congressional delegation led by Speaker of the US House of representatives, John Beohner that called on him here at the PM House on Monday evening.
Gilani impressed upon the need of positive messaging from both sides to help build trust in the interest of a long term strategic partnership between the two countries.
While expressing his satisfaction over the resumption of bilateral engagements between the two countries at political, economic, military and intelligence level, the Prime Minister stated that the US must not allow any isolated incident to make the strategic relations between Pakistan-US hostage.
He said that Pakistan was keenly looking forward to the US Secretary of State’s visit to Pakistan in the 3rd week of May for the next round of strategic dialogues which, he hoped, would pave the way for fast-tracking the disbursement of KLB (Kerry Lugar Bill) for high visibility projects in power, energy, health, education and infrastructure sectors.
The Prime Minister stated that the US Congress has always immensely contributed towards the shaping of the Pakistan-US relations and hoped that it will continue to do so under the leadership of Speaker Beohner.
He pointed out that the US Congress’s expeditious authorization for the ROZs (Reconstruction Opportunity Zones) and the establishment of Enterprise Fund, that has been pending for the extended period of time, would help US investment particularly in the militancy affected areas of Pakistan.
The goods produced in these areas and access to US markets would help his Government address the root causes of terrorism like unemployment and poverty there, the Prime Minister added.
He also urged the US Congress intersection in fast-tracking of disbursement of outstanding amount of CSF (Coalition Support Fund) reimbursement which he said would be crucial at this stage when Pakistan was to pass its next fiscal year’s budget.
The Prime Minister also sought the assistance of US Congress for timely commencement of multi years defence commitment and counter insurgency capacity fund which were crucial for the capacity building of Pakistan’s armed and security forces to take the campaign against extremism and militancy to its logical conclusion.
The Prime Minister apprised the US delegation of his recent visit to Kabul and meetings with President Karzai and Chairman High Peace Council, Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani.
He said that the main message to the Afghan leadership and nation was for concerted efforts to develop coherence between US-Afghanistan and Pakistan for a common strategy to attain the shared objectives of peace and stability in the region.
The Prime Minister hoped that Pakistan and US would do more together to be on the same page with Afghanistan on the latter’s reconciliation and reintegration process.
Speaker Beohner while commending Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in the war against terror acknowledged Pakistan’s tremendous sacrifices.
He assured the Prime Minister that US would retain its long term strategic partnership with Pakistan to defeat this common enemy.
He informed the Prime Minister that while the US Congress was in the process of cutting down government spendings to reduce the US budget deficit, it had not applied any cuts in aid to Pakistan in the fiscal year 2011 budget passed this year, neither does it intend to do so in the next fiscal year’s budget.
He underscored that this was a clear recognition by the US Congress of Pakistan’s crucial role in the war against terror as well as being the strategic partner of the US.
The US Congressmen also agreed with the Prime Minister on the imperative of positive messaging from both the sides only through which the image of both the countries among their people can improve.
They also agreed that people to people contacts through exchange of parliamentary delegations and positive media interaction can greatly help build trust and confidence.
The meeting was also attended by US Ambassador Cameron Munter, Defence Minister Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, and Senator Syeda Sughra Hussain Imam.