US welcome FM Khar's Afghanistan visit

Pakistan

US welcome FM Khar's Afghanistan visit

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The US State Department has hailed the recent meetings between Pakistani and Afghan authorities.

03 February,2012 02:54 am

While commenting on Pakistani foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khars recent visit to Afghanistan here Thursday, US state department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland said it seems to be a very good and well-timed visit and we have seen positive statements from both sides.We have always supported good neighbourly relations on security and political issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan, she asserted adding that the US authorities were looking forward to hear from Afghan and Pakistani leadership about the recent meetings of FM Khar.On a question about action against Haqqani network and other terrorist outfits, she reminded the press corps that Secretary Clinton raised the issue with Pakistan to do more against Haqqani network during her last visit.Any show of commitment by Pakistan against Haqqani network, either with us or Afghans, are very welcome, she stated.She, however, declined to answer a question about the future of transition of security responsibility to Afghan forces in case no success was achieved in the ongoing reconciliation talks. When asked about the plan of civilian presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014, she said we are not at that stage yet.Her counterpart at Pentagon, Capt. John Kirby, had also declined to give a clear answer to this question terming it a great hypothetical question.I cant comment on what happens in case of failure of reconciliation efforts, he said while also refusing to share details of the negotiations with Taliban in this regard.No decision has yet been made about the five detainees in Guantanamo (who Taliban are demanding to be released as part of reconciliation deal) or other confidence building measures, he said while stressing that Secretary Panetta supports Afghan-led reconciliation, because political solution is necessary for successful counter-insurgency.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC