Hillary pledges to turn a new page in Pak-US ties

Thursday, October 29, 2009

ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday echoed the confusion and frustration of the Obama administration and sent out a fresh signal, saying it was ready to do business with some Taliban and called out to the“good” Taliban to come forward and get involved in a peaceful and democratic process.

“We view extremists and terrorists as a syndicate. But not everyone who picks up a gun is a terrorist. We are determined to root out their leadership. But we are also open to those who change their mind and agree to a view, which is peaceful and democratic in manner.

“Good Taliban? I don’t know about good. But people have been caught up in these activities. Let us root out the hard core and look at the people who renounce violence, we should be open and see them case by case,” she told a joint press conference at the Foreign Office with her counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

On her fifth visit to Pakistan, Clinton says she is here to “turn a new page” in US-Pakistan relations. “Intent of my visit is to reach out and make clear what the US intentions and commitments are. This fight against terrorism is not Pakistan’s alone as we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistani people. Our relationship goes beyond security matters. Today we heard of more brutal attacks (Peshawar). These people can destroy but cannot build. We discussed how to work more closely,” the secretary said in her opening remarks.

Throwing down the gauntlet to the militants and terrorists, Clinton challenged them and said if their agenda was so popular then they should come forward and let the Pakistani people decide.

“Extremism and terrorism has to be defeated. We have lost soldiers in Afghanistan and Waziristan. These are cowardly acts. Let them come forward and join the political process with their agenda of keeping women back and not allowing girls to schools. Let them make their case. They are losing and are on the wrong side of history,” she said.

As she was speaking, Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke entered the briefing hall and stood for a while amongst staff and security before a chair could be offered to him.

Hillary said that Pakistan and the US share common challenges and this is a critical moment when the US seeks to turn the page with the Pakistani people and a democratic government. “We are bound by common values and work together in many areas. I will be meeting with a wide range of Pakistanis. I will oversee the Pak-US strategic dialogue. In the first phase there will be a signature energy programme and there will be projects with the Pakistan government to repair and upgrade electric projects. We will help with new equipment for the Tarbela Dam and repair 10,000 tube wells,” she said.

To a question about the US taking away its military outposts from the Pak-Afghan border, Clinton replied, “We have changed our outposts and are willing to cooperate with Pakistan’s military to face challenges”.

She was asked if Obama would return his Nobel peace prize if peace failed to return to Afghanistan. “We are very proud that President Obama received the Nobel peace prize because of his election which brought about a significant change. It is much better to be on the side of peace. Hopes have been raised very high and it is important we hope and work for peace,” she replied.

Clinton said that in terms of economic challenges the US wants to help with jobs and building infrastructure, healthcare, energy supplies and Pakistan’s energy shortfall, which undermines economic growth.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi while condemning the Peshawar explosions said, “We are facing attacks on daily basis but our resolve and determination is not shaken. We will not buckle. We will fight you and as we defeated you in Swat and Malakand, our brave soldiers will defeat you again.”

He was lavish in his praise for his US counterpart and said in his opening statement, “You are a friend of Pakistan and we know your views for Pakistan is to build bridges and deepen further our bilateral relations. This visit is well timed as Pakistan has entered a critical phase of fighting terrorism. Your visit expresses solidarity with the people of Pakistan and the message goes loudly and clearly to the government and people of Pakistan from the United States”.

On Afghanistan, the minister said both countries have stakes there and discussions centred around the new US review on Afghanistan and requested the secretary to take Pakistan’s inputs in that review.

“We also need the US to help us in using our resources well and need greater market access. It is important for Pakistan to solve her energy crisis and also important to build the capacity of our institutions,” he held out.

AP adds: Clinton said her visit — the first since she became secretary of state — was designed to chip away at anti-Americanism in Pakistan and to offer US support for the government’s struggle against extremism.

She suggested that the administration of former President George W Bush had focused too narrowly on Pakistan’s value as an ally in the war on terrorism, neglecting other aspects of the relationship.

“We are turning the page on what has been for the past several years primarily a security, anti-terrorist agenda,” she told reporters on the flight from Washington.Anti-terrorism “remains a very high priority, but we also recognise that it’s imperative that we broaden our engagement with Pakistan.”

Upon arriving on an overnight flight, Clinton went directly into talks with Qureshi. “It is fair to say there have been a lot of misconceptions about what the United States intends for our relationship with Pakistan,” Clinton told reporters on her overnight flight, adding, “It is unfortunate there are those who question our motives. I want to clear the air.”