US cooperating, not dictating Islamabad: Holbrooke

Pakistan

US cooperating, not dictating Islamabad: Holbrooke

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24 March,2010 12:25 pm

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pak-US partnership is in the interest of the world as he underscored the need for long-term strategic relationship between the two allies. On the other hand, US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke said that Pakistans anti-militancy actions have improved its image in the United States and the Obama administration is pursuing a cooperative relationship with the regional ally and not dictating Islamabad. We are out of the business of telling your country what you should do. Now we are listening to Pakistan, Holbrooke remarked. He said the US-Pakistan relationship is getting stronger and stronger. At a joint press briefing with Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, the American envoy said Pakistans (anti-militant) actions last year have had a deep effect on American public opinion. I think, you will see it Mr Secretary if you talk to ordinary Americans, you go to the (Capitol) Hill today, I think you will see much more appreciation for Pakistan than in previous trips. Holbrooke cited several examples of how the Obama Administration has been receptive to Islamabads ideas and has accordingly changed the policies it inherited. For instance, he said, every significant aid project is now done with the prior consultation and approval of the government of Pakistan.