Pak-US relations: foreign office mum about issue of immediate steps

The Foreign Office on Saturday remained tight-lipped regarding several immediate steps to underscore Pakistan's seriousness in renewing its full co-operative efforts with US, agreed during Senator John Kerry's recent visit besides probe into Abbottabad operation by four different teams.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahmina Janjua declined to comment when asked what were the 'several immediate steps' which were mentioned in the joint statement issued following US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Senator Kerry's meetings with to civilian and military leadership of Pakistan.
Terming terrorism as a joint curse, Janjua said that war on terror was not only the war of US but Pakistan's as well. "We will continue fight against terrorism in accordance with our national interests and priorities. Obviously any step taken in this regard would be in that context," she added.
She said Pakistan was fighting terrorism for its own sake and there was consensus among the people of Pakistan. We have to pursue this fight ourselves, which is being recognised in the joint statement issued during Senator Kerry's visit, she added. When asked to comment on Senator Kerry's statement that Pakistan's four official teams were conducting probe into OBL's presence in Abbottabad before he was killed in the US operation, she again declined, saying Senator Kerry can best respond to the question. She added that the matter has been adequately addressed by the parliament and the leadership.
Regarding formation of inquiry commission in light of joint resolution passed by the parliament to ascertain the truth as to how Osama managed to reside in Pakistan for five years, she said the matter has already been addressed by the parliament, its resolution and the prime minister.
About visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the spokesman said that Clinton is expected to visit Pakistan but the exact date is yet to be finalised. She further said that Ambassador Grossman was in Islamabad and held in-depth discussion with state minister for foreign affairs Hina Rabbani Khar.
Janjua said a trilateral meeting of senior officials of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US will be held early next week in Kabul to discuss security situation in Afghanistan. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir will lead Pakistani delegation in the meeting. She further said Pakistan was making endeavours to deepen engagement with Afghanistan and result-oriented dialogue with India.
Referring to recent multiple engagements with different countries, the spokesperson said that President's visit to Russia and Prime Minister's visit to France and China have led to substantial discussions and understanding for strengthening relations with these countries. She said Pakistan also welcomes the strong support announced by China in the joint statement issued at the end of Gilani's visit to China. However, she added that it is the government and people of Pakistan, who have the will and the capacity to safeguard our national interest.
The spokesman, while commenting on President's recent visit to Russia and Prime Minister's visit to China, said that each relationship whether with US, China or Russia has its own merits and value. She said secretaries' level engagement with India covers counter-terrorism, commerce, trade, water and Sir Creek issues. Pakistan is pursuing talks in an open and constructive manner for result-oriented process of engagement, she added.
To a question regarding repeated drone attacks and Pakistan's response with the joint resolution of the parliament, the spokesperson said Pakistan has categorically told the US that drone attacks do not serve any purpose. "We will continue to discuss all issues with US and in this context we have very clearly told US that these {drone} attacks are not acceptable at all," she said, stressing the need to avoid unilateral actions inside Pakistan in future as it would help strengthening relations between US and Pakistan. To a query on Grossman's remarks that the US did not give any guarantee to Pakistan not to repeat Abbottabad like action, she said these are the issues that are being taken up with the US, taking into account the discussions that have taken place in the parliament. "We are in the process of re-engaging with the US and the purpose is to get the terms of our engagement right," she added.
To another query whether Pakistan will revisit its foreign policy in line with the parliament's resolution, she said: "When Senator Kerry visited Pakistan, he mentioned, and this has been reflected in the joint statement with Senator Kerry that we need to 'reset' the relationship."
All discussions with the US are taking placing in this context, she said, adding that both sides need to get the terms of engagement right and both have said often that the partnership approach warrants mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit.
Responding to another query regarding Secretary Clinton statement that the US won't forgo the right to attack Pakistan if certain high value target is found in Pakistan, she said that under the circumstances the best thing is to have reasonable and reasoned discussions with our interlocutors in the US, which will be made public when reached some understanding.
About the killing of five Chechens in Quetta, she said that Russian Embassy has sought details about one of the women bearing Russian passport and the investigation into the incident was underway and the details would be shared with embassy once probe is completed. To another query regarding India's list of 50 most wanted, she said that that Indians can put any name they want on it, adding that Pakistan will consider any such issue raised with great seriousness.