Visit helped remove misunderstandings: opportunity to press 'rest button' on Pak-US relations: foreign office

The Foreign Office on Saturday said the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen has helped remove misunderstandings to a great extent and that the two sides would cooperate on raids against terror suspects in future.
"The visit provided an opportunity to press the 'rest button' on the relations between the two countries," said Foreign Office spokesperson Tahmina Janjua during weekly press briefing, adding that Pak-US ties have witnessed a period of stress for the last few months and the visit of Clinton and Mullen provided a welcomed opportunity to have in-depth exchange on all bilateral relations as well as issues related to security in the region, counterterrorism and Afghanistan's reconciliation process.
"The visit has helped removing misconceptions and misunderstandings between the two countries to a great extent," she said, adding during discussions, the leadership of both countries indicated their concerns and they now understand each other's perspective in a better manner.
She said the two countries have agreed to continue to fight terrorism, conduct joint operations, share information, ensure return of peace and stability to Afghanistan and facilitate the Afghan led process of peace and reconciliation. Referring to Pak-Afghan-US trilateral talks, the spokesperson said, a core group has been formed to promote the process of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Two meetings of the group have already taken place in Islamabad and Kabul and the third one would be held by end of June again in Kabul, she added.
She further said that there was recognition within the US that Pakistan has a very important facilitating role to play in process of reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan, adding Pakistan fully stands by Afghan people in the endeavour. The spokesperson said it became evident during Clinton's visit that US wants to work together with Pakistan and is ready to address its concerns. "It (US) wants to take fully onboard Pakistan's core national interests," she said, adding that the US underscored the concept of partnership and equality during the discussions.
She said the two countries agreed that there would be greater transparency and information sharing in the context of joint operations. She said the US fully appreciates Pakistan's contribution and sacrifices in war against terror. When her comments were sought on a US TV channel report that Pakistan was handed over a list of five most wanted persons, she expressed ignorance, saying these are operational details and she doesn't has the one.
To a question whether International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sought security details of Pakistan's nuclear installations, the spokesperson made it clear that security and safety of Pakistan's strategic installation was that of international standards and there should be no doubt in this regard.
About delay in Pak-US strategic dialogue, she said that the dialogue which was scheduled to be held this month but could not take place. However, she said that the two sides also agreed to intensify bilateral engagement as well as recommence preparatory work for strategic dialogue process, adding as soon as the preparatory work is over, the dates for the dialogue would be decided.
About drone attacks, she said the issue has been intensively discussed with the US during Friday meeting and Pakistani leadership conveyed concerns of people of Pakistan about drone attacks and violation of sovereignty as reflected in the unanimous resolution of the parliament.
The spokesperson categorically rejected Indian Home Minister Chidambaram's remarks that Pakistan is a 'fragile' state, saying Pakistan is strong state, having bright future. When asked to comment about Clinton's remarks regarding presence of terrorists' 'safe havens' in Pakistan, the Janjua said Pakistan was suffering due to terrorism on daily basis, adding it (Pakistan) was, therefore, committed to eliminate terrorism and extremism from its soil.
Janjua said two-day talks between Pakistan and India on Siachin issue would be held in New Delhi from May 30-31. Defence Secretaries of both the countries will attend the meeting, she said, adding that Pakistan wanted to resolve all outstanding issues with India through dialogue process.