Gilani refuses Clintons request to attend Bonn conference

Pakistan

Gilani refuses Clintons request to attend Bonn conference

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Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has refused Clintons fresh request to attend Bonn conference.

04 December,2011 02:02 am

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani received a phone call from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday evening. The Secretary of State conveyed her personal condolences on the deaths of Pakistani soldiers. She added that the attack was not intentional and that we must wait for the outcome of the investigation. She said that the US has the highest regard for Pakistan’s sovereignty. This incident should not be allowed to jeopardize the bilateral relationship as Pakistan and US have common interest, she added.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also raised with the Prime Minister the issue of Pakistan’s participation in the Bonn Conference.The Prime Minister Gilani responded that he had promised to refer the matter of Pakistan’s participation at Bonn to the Parliament’s National Security Committee to German Chancellor Markel when she raised it with him.The committee has supported the decision of the Cabinet not to participate in the Bonn Conference, the Prime Minister said.Prime Minister Gilani said that Pakistan had played a positive role for peace and stability in the region and had many sacrifices in fighting terrorism.The Parliament was seized of the matter of terms of cooperation with the US. This will ensure national ownership and clarity about the relationship, the Prime Minister added.