Gilani calls for taking US-Pakistan relations beyond terrorism

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday stressed that relations between the United States and Pakistan should go beyond terrorism and cover areas of bilateral relations on durable basis for the benefit of two peoples.
Talking to Senator Carl Levin, Chairman of Armed Services Committee here at the PM's House, Gilani said Pakistan had suffered in the fight against terrorism and rendered more sacrifices in terms of civilians and troops' fatalities than the coalition partners put together.
He said, "the success of military operation in Malakand Division stands out because the nation not only defeated the terrorists but also managed the return of more than two million IDPs (internally displaced persons) within two months to their homes with honour and dignity".
The prime minister said Pakistan desired a sovereign, independent, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan and supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of reconciliation in that country.
He said Pakistan was part of the solution and not part of the problem and favoured three Ds-Dialogue, Development and Deterrence, as the best strategy to seek out a solution of the Afghan imbroglio. The prime minister called upon both the countries to evolve a common strategy against the common enemy because its absence would benefit the enemy which was both coward and callous.
The prime minister said, "one wonders how terrorists dare go to Afghanistan without being spotted and eliminated by the ISAF and Nato forces which are equipped with the most advanced weapons." The prime minister appreciated the role of US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton who took a stand and supported Pakistan's case for assistance at the time when the voices of imposing restrictions were being raised in Washington.
He mentioned Hillary Clinton's letter to the House Foreign Committee members where she pointed out that the proposed restrictions would damage the 'the US considered foreign policy and diplomacy'. He also referred to the recent telephonic talk between Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Hillary Clinton in which they discussed the objectives and principles of enduring partnership with Pakistan.
The Senator underlined the importance of bringing US-Pakistan relations on an even keel because both the countries were fighting the common enemy who is "using violence as IEDs". From Pakistan's side, Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, and Senator Syeda Sughra Hussain Imam, and Senator Jeff Markley and Senator Jeanne Shaheen from the American side and other senior officials also attended the meeting.