Pak-US strategic dialogue tomorrow

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Updated at: 2230 PST, Tuesday, March 23, 2010
WASHINGTON: A significant round of Pak-US strategic dialogue will be held in Washington on March 24, in which war against terrorism, bilateral ties and US assistance in the fields of development and energy will come under discussion.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will represent Pakistan in the talks while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will represent US delegation.

Pakistan's request for nuclear power plants may come up for discussion during the dialogue.

Couple of days ago, Ambassador Patterson, the US envoy in Islamabad, told a Los Angeles-based Pakistani newspaper: "We are beginning to have a discussion with the Pakistan government" on the country's desire to tap nuclear energy. "We are going to have working level talks" on the issue in Washington this month.

Prominent US paper The Wall Street Journal in its Tuesday's edition reported that Pakistan has sent a 56-page document to the US ahead of strategic talks, seeking expanded military and economic aid.

The previously undisclosed document includes requests ranging from US help to alleviate Pakistan's chronic water and power shortages to pleas for surveillance aircraft and support in developing the country's civilian nuclear program, it added.

Pakistan, according to the paper, also urged Washington, to take a direct role in reviving the peace process between India and Pakistan.

The US may, report said, for example, be willing to give Pakistan drone aircraft, although not the high-end, armed Predator and Reaper drones that have been used by the Central Intelligence Agency, according to a US official.

"We want the US to recognize Pakistan's nuclear status and give us assurances not to undermine the (weapons) program," a senior Pakistani military officer told US daily, who serves as an aide to Gen. Kayani. "Energy security is crucial, and we need US help", WSJ reported.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday met with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry and top Republican on the panel Ricahrd Lugar.

While, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Monday had a meeting with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Mike Mullen, and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy at the Pentagon.