US Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte has said that he has come to Pakistan according to scheduled programme and there is no hidden agenda to pursue. He was addressing a press conference at a local hotel at the conclusion of his visit to Pakistan on Thursday.
"This has been a long planned visit. It gave me an opportunity to congratulate the leaders and reaffirm US support to Pakistan. There is no hidden agenda and there is no intention to interfere with your affairs," Negroponte said.
He denied any knowledge of advice sent to the US State Office by the Pakistan Foreign Office, suggesting rescheduling of his visit as the proposed timings of his (Negroponte) visits were not favourable. "I do not know of any such advice," he added
He said that the Pakistan Foreign Secretary and other officials received him and his team and discussed a wide range of subjects. At no stage timing of visit came under discussion, he added. He said: "The discussion was friendly and cordial. Even date and programme of my future visit to Pakistan also came under discussion with Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan."
He said that the United States wanted continued co-operation to see sustainable partnership between the two countries further strengthened. He said that the United States had no intention to take unilateral action against extremists anywhere. "We want to deal with militants through mutually agreed strategy and not on unilateral basis. They must be dealt with jointly."
However, Negroponte said he did not know how to deal with extremists not willing to listen to reasons and talk about peace. He said: "Yesterday (Wednesday) we discussed the security and development aspects of our relationship in Peshawar and Landi Kotal. We met Khyber Political Agents Syed Amiruddin Shah, tribal elders from Khyber Agency, 11th Corps Commander General Masood Aslam, and NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani.
"Our delegation also received briefings on the US assistance efforts in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), totalling about 150 million dollars per year, and how our two governments are using these funds to build much-needed roads and schools," he added. When asked about strengthening President Pervez Musharraf, he said People were the best judge of their issues. He left many a thing unsaid.
He said many had asked about the prospects for US-Pakistan relations. "Our response is that the US-Pak partnership remains strong, and that we envision a continued close, productive alliance that benefits both countries.
"The United States is committed to working with all of Pakistan's leaders on the full spectrum of bilateral issues, from fighting violent extremism to improving educational and economic opportunities," he added. He said that in months ahead the US looked forward to engaging Pakistan's new government on how best to promote economic growth and reduce poverty.
He said that the US would continue to help Pakistani people build a secure, prosperous, and free society. He said: "We all recognise that this is an important time in Pakistan's history, as the new parliament's leadership takes office and begins to set the legislative agenda, as the new government starts to take shape."
In Islamabad, he met Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, President Pervez Musharraf, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML (N) leader Nawaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.
In Karachi, Negroponte and his team met Karachi Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan and members of the American Business Council. He said: "This is my third and final full day in Pakistan, having already spent time in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Landi Kotal. This trip is another of my periodic visits, which provided me the opportunity to meet Pakistan's government officials, political and military leaders and representatives of civil society.
"These types of exchanges help to sustain and deepen the US-Pak relationship," he added. Negroponte said that in all his meetings he had expressed support for the democratic transition under way in Pakistan and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the Pakistani people.
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