Friday, April 14, 2006
By Shahzad Raza
ISLAMABAD: The United States might strike a deal for cooperation in civilian nuclear technology with Pakistan some time in the future as it recently has with India, US Senator Chuck Hagel said on Thursday.
Hagel also opposed the use of military force against Iran to freeze its nuclear programme.
ââ¬ÅThere may be an agreement between the United States and Pakistan in future on the nuclear issue, but I do not represent the United States government,ââ¬Â Hagel said at a press conference at the US Embassy following meetings with President General Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, along with US Ambassador Ryan C Crocker.
Asked to comment on the affect of the India-US civil nuclear agreement on Pakistan-US relations, he said Pakistan and China must not view it as a threat. He observed that the agreement represented cooperation in science, education and agriculture, and the nuclear aspect was just one part of the deal.
He conceded that energy was a crucial resource for a country to meets its economic and social needs. During his meeting with the president, Musharraf told the senator that Pakistanââ¬â¢s growing energy requirements would be met through a variety of sources including nuclear power generation.
He outlined Pakistanââ¬â¢s view on the US-India nuclear agreement and stressed that there were concerns about its implications for regional stability and security. The president underscored that Pakistan must have access to civil nuclear energy.
In a separate meeting, Foreign Minister Kasuri told Hagel that the denial of nuclear cooperation to Pakistan would be regarded as discriminatory by the government and people of Pakistan.
Referring to the statements of President George Bush and top US officials, the senator told journalists that he did not think the military option a viable solution to the Iran nuclear dispute. ââ¬ÅIran is a complicated issue. A responsible approach to these challenges is to work closely with our friends and allies including Pakistan, the United Nations and with the IAEA,ââ¬Â he said.
Hagel told journalists that during their meeting Gen Musharraf had assured him that the next general elections in Pakistan would be fair and transparent. He said it was not his place to comment on the presidentââ¬â¢s uniform, but the matter should be resolved by the leaders and people of Pakistan. He said the US was ready to support a resolution of the Kashmir dispute. ââ¬ÅWe can help enhance confidence between India and Pakistan. And we must.ââ¬Â
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\14\story_14-4-2006_pg7_1
By Shahzad Raza
ISLAMABAD: The United States might strike a deal for cooperation in civilian nuclear technology with Pakistan some time in the future as it recently has with India, US Senator Chuck Hagel said on Thursday.
Hagel also opposed the use of military force against Iran to freeze its nuclear programme.
ââ¬ÅThere may be an agreement between the United States and Pakistan in future on the nuclear issue, but I do not represent the United States government,ââ¬Â Hagel said at a press conference at the US Embassy following meetings with President General Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, along with US Ambassador Ryan C Crocker.
Asked to comment on the affect of the India-US civil nuclear agreement on Pakistan-US relations, he said Pakistan and China must not view it as a threat. He observed that the agreement represented cooperation in science, education and agriculture, and the nuclear aspect was just one part of the deal.
He conceded that energy was a crucial resource for a country to meets its economic and social needs. During his meeting with the president, Musharraf told the senator that Pakistanââ¬â¢s growing energy requirements would be met through a variety of sources including nuclear power generation.
He outlined Pakistanââ¬â¢s view on the US-India nuclear agreement and stressed that there were concerns about its implications for regional stability and security. The president underscored that Pakistan must have access to civil nuclear energy.
In a separate meeting, Foreign Minister Kasuri told Hagel that the denial of nuclear cooperation to Pakistan would be regarded as discriminatory by the government and people of Pakistan.
Referring to the statements of President George Bush and top US officials, the senator told journalists that he did not think the military option a viable solution to the Iran nuclear dispute. ââ¬ÅIran is a complicated issue. A responsible approach to these challenges is to work closely with our friends and allies including Pakistan, the United Nations and with the IAEA,ââ¬Â he said.
Hagel told journalists that during their meeting Gen Musharraf had assured him that the next general elections in Pakistan would be fair and transparent. He said it was not his place to comment on the presidentââ¬â¢s uniform, but the matter should be resolved by the leaders and people of Pakistan. He said the US was ready to support a resolution of the Kashmir dispute. ââ¬ÅWe can help enhance confidence between India and Pakistan. And we must.ââ¬Â
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\14\story_14-4-2006_pg7_1