US anti-terror bill casts shadow on ties: foreign office

Pakistan said on Saturday that the draft Bill adopted by the US Congress on Implementation of 9/11 Commission Recommendations contains references and provisions has cast a shadow on the existing co-operation between Pakistan and United States.
The bill now sent to President Bush for signing asks the president to confirm that Pakistan is making progress in combating al Qaeda and Taliban elements within its borders before the United States provides aid to the country. "Regardless of the fact that the bill emphasises the importance attached by the United States to long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan, it is disappointing from Pakistan's point of view," Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said in a statement.
She said that references under Section on Pakistan relating to terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation verge on allegations of existence of so-called terrorist "safe haven" or "proliferation networks" in Pakistan.
"Such allegations are unsubstantiated and have been rejected by Pakistan. Inclusion of these references in the Bill cannot contribute to the trust that is necessary for the stated US objective to establish a strategic relationship with Pakistan. Similarly, there are unwarranted comments on Pakistan's bilateral relations with Afghanistan as well as on the political process in Pakistan."
She said that conditionalities have been introduced for the continuation of US security assistance to Pakistan which is primarily aimed at capacity building in counter-terrorism.
"This is reminiscent of the infamous Pressler Amendment that had deeply damaged the relationship between the two countries in the past," she added. Tasnim Aslam said that Pakistan at various stages in the evolution of the Bill had conveyed objections to the US administration and the Congress members especially to creating any linkage between assistance and Islamabad's counter-terrorism efforts.
"Such linkage did not serve the interest of bilateral co-operation in the past and it can prove to be detrimental in the future", the spokesperson added. Tasnim Aslam said Pakistan is fighting extremism and terrorism in its own national interest, adding that it will continue to fight al Qaeda, Talibanization and other terrorist and extremist elements with resolve and determination.
"In dealing with this serious challenge, we expect understanding and support from our friends in the international community instead of pronouncements and impositions that doubt our efforts and will be resented by our people", she argued.
The spokesperson said Pakistan and the United States must work in a co-operative framework that enhances mutual confidence and trust and promotes the important strategic relationship between the two countries that is vital for ensuring peace, security and development in the region.