The acting spokesman of the State Department on Monday said the United States has "an ongoing co-operation" with the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan" in terms of being able to deal with the remnants of the Taleban that are still out there." "We deal with those governments bilaterally," said Tom Casey in response to a question at the daily press briefing.
"We, of course, also talk to one another in a three-party or a trilateral context and obviously, we'll work with them and work with them on any considerations."
On demise of King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, the acting spokesman said it was with great sadness that US has learned of the death of "the custodian of the two Holy Mosques in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
On the state of US relations with Saudi Arabia, he said "during the course of his 22-year reign, the King was a friend of the United States and played an essential role in regional and world events."
"And he was a partner in efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region and we will continue to honour his memory."
"We extend our deepest condolences to his family and to the people of Saudi Arabia at this time."
He said the state of Saudi-US relations "continues to be excellent."
"We continue to have discussions with them on a wide range of issues. We look forward to doing so under the leadership of King Abdullah who has succeeded the throne. And obviously, we will be looking to maintain our co-operation with them on those broad range of issues."
On counter terrorism efforts, the spokesman said the United States has" a close working relationship with the Government of Saudi Arabia on counter terrorism issues," and added, "we would expect to maintain that in the future."
On the death of Sudanese vice president John Garang, the acting spokesman read out statement by the US Secretary of State.
Secretary Condoleezza Rice in her message addressed to Garang's wife Rebecca, his family and to the people of Sudan said: "I had the privilege of meeting with Dr Garang on several occasions, most recently during my visit to Sudan on July 21. He was a man of great intellect and energy and he applied those qualities to achieving a just peace for the people of Sudan. His efforts were instrumental in ending the 22-year-old civil war and offering the hope of democracy and a unified country."
"I welcome the fact that the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement have re-emphasised their comment to its full implementation. The United States remains formally committed to the cause of peace in all of Sudan, including resolution of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. And we call on all parties to work towards Dr Garang's vision of a unified, prosperous and peaceful Sudan."
To a question, Casey said that the preliminary indications are that the crash was caused by bad weather.
On Darfur riots, he said the US is sending Monday Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Connie Newman, and the Deputy Secretary Special Representative to Sudan, Roger Winter. "They'll be going to Southern Sudan and to Khartoum to confer with the parties and encourage them to maintain momentum on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and on Darfur."
He pointed out that the peace agreement stipulates that a successor to Dr Garang should be named by the Sudanese People Liberation Movement within two weeks. And we understand that its leadership is currently gathering in Southern Sudan and they'll be consulting on this issue, but we certainly are looking for and hope to see an! orderly and peaceful succession to the new first Vice President.
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