Ties with Pakistan 'paramount importance': Clinton, Panetta

WASHINGTON: The United States and Pakistan both have an interest in keeping up a close relationship despite differences in regional perceptions and approach to fighting terrorists, America's top diplomatic and defence leaders said on Tuesday.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary Defence Leon Panetta, speaking before an audience at National Defence University, also underscored the importance of maintaining ties with Pakistan in view of the fact that it is a "nuclear power and represents an important force in the region."

"We consider our relationship with Pakistan to be of paramount importance, "Hillary Clinton stated.

"We understand it is very much in America's interests. We knew it is in the long-term interests of Pakistan for us to work through what are very difficult problems in that relationship," she added, in reference to ongoing differences between the two sides, particularly since the May 2 unilateral action against al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

However, Clinton acknowledged that Pakistan concerns and their view-point whether the US is a long-term relationship with some respect. In this context, she also referred to the on again off again nature of relationship between the two countries, the last time being after Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, when US abandoned the region and left Pakistan to contend with the wreckage of war.

"So I think Pakistanis have a view-point that to be shown some respect," remarked the chief US diplomat.

In her comments Secretary Panetta said, the United States has to maintain a relationship with Pakistan in view of the fight against al-Qaeda and key importance in the region.

Hence we have no choice except to maintain a relationship with Pakistan.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011