pak observer:
Aroosa Alam
Islamabad—Pakistan has expressed its deep concerns over the growing conventional imbalance in South Asia mainly due to unabated acquisition of arms, equipments and weapons by India while simplest of such technologies are denied to Pakistan.
Well placed sources claim that Pakistani leaders raised the issue with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Christina Rocca, during her calls Tuesday. Rocca now in Pakistan called on President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz separately besides holding wide ranging talks with Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar.
Pakistan has been jittery over the latest agreement between India and USA under which Patriot Missile system will be supplied to New Dheli. Washington and New Delhi have entered into a strategic partnership while Pakistan finds itself high and dry even after fighting the war against terror for the US.
American sensitivity not to antagonise New Delhi can be gauged from the fact that US embassy lost no time to clarify that no F-16s were being supplied to Pakistan when a news emanated from Washington that the supply of fighters was being under consideration.
On Tuesday Ms Rocca, according to sources, was politely conveyed that Pakistan does not view these developments favourably. According to official word Pakistani leaders and Ms Rocca discussed bilateral relations and regional and international situation. The situation in Afghanistan in the context of Afghan elections and the dialogue process between Pakistan and India also came under discussion.
Talking to Ms Rocca the Prime Minister said Pakistan’s war against scourge of terrorism will continue as it is not only essential for maintenance of security and stability in the region but also in our national interest. He said sporadic incidents of terrorism will not deter Pakistan’s resolve to continue fight against terror.
Rocca said United States is interested in a long-term relationship with Pakistan with active cooperation in all fields. The American Assistant Secretary of State also called on Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar.
She appreciated Pakistan’s role in the global war against terrorism. She also lauded the role of Pakistan in facilitating conduct of Afghan elections.
Besides, bilateral relations and regional and international situation, the issue of UN reform also came under discussion. Pakistan felt that there is a need for wide-ranging reforms in the United Nations’ system including the role of the General Assembly and ECOSOC as well as effective functioning and membership of the Security Council. The Foreign Minister said, the Security Council could become more effective if it is made more democratic, transparent and representative.
Inp adds: President General Pervez Musharraf also apprised the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State about the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India and the progress so far made between the two rivals.
Rocca hailed the peace process and underlined the success of composite dialogue to establish long lasting peace in the South Asian region.
According to APP the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for US support to Pakistan’s socio-economic development plans as well as the country’s security needs.
During her meeting with Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Rocca assured Pakistan of US commitment to a long-term strategic relationship and said the multi-year economic and defence package was one manifestation of this cooperation.
The Foreign Minister and Assistant Secretary of State discussed the situation in Afghanistan following the elections there and expressed the hope that the results of the Afghan elections will promote greater stability in Afghanistan
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