Hillary commits to turn a new page in Pak-US strategic ties

ISLAMABAD—US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced to provide new equipment to replace the existing power generation plant at Tarbela Dam, repair and improve local energy providers and promote energy efficiency in the first phase of energy cooperation programme with Pakistan.
“In the first phase of the energy programme for Pakistan we will help repair facilities, improve local energy providers and promote energy operation. These projects have been designed in close collaboration with Pakistan”.
Addressing a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi after their talks at the Foreign Office here on Wednesday, Clinton said the US will also help repair or replace 10,000 tube well nationwide which will save energy and increase agricultural productivity. She assured that this is a beginning in assisting Pakistan and with the approval of US Congress there would be more programmes to help Pakistan overcome the energy crisis.
She said Pakistan’s energy shortfall poses serious challenge to its economy, businesses and individual lives and US wants to help in this important sector.
About her talks with Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Clinton said they have agreed to resume and intensify US-Pakistan strategic dialogue which she will personally oversee from the US side to ensure that the dialogue is result oriented.
“We hope to build a strong relationship based on mutual respect and mutual shared responsibilities”.
She said Pakistan and US today face shared challenges and they are poised to benefit from shared opportunities.
“It is a critical moment and US seeks to turn page of a new partnership not only with the Government but people of democratic Pakistan. We hope to build a strong relationship based on mutual respect and mutually shared responsibilities” she said.
She said Pakistan is in the midst of ongoing struggle against heinous and brutal attacks by terrorists who are killing and terrorizing people. She conveyed sympathies of US government and people to the government and Pakistan who are facing the barrage of attacks.
She said this fight is not of Pakistan’s alone. She commended the Pakistan military for their courageous fight and announced to stand shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan people in the fight and assured to extend whatever help Pakistan needed to achieve its goal.
“We want to help you which you the way you think is best for your country, the infrastructure with agreed investment, to create jobs, access to education, support in healthcare and in particular improving the energy supplies.
Clinton said their relationship goes beyond security and they discussed ways in which the two nations can work more closely together towards an effective, responsive and enduring democracy.
She said she shared with the Foreign Minister some of the misperceptions that occasionally blocks both the countries from full understanding.
Asked to elaborate her point of turning a page in Pak-US relations, the future US strategy in Afghanistan and decision to remove some of the military units from Afghan border, Secretary of State said there will be specific proposals to help Pakistan, she would be visiting to Lahore and Peshawar to reach out to people to convey the sincerity and commitment of the United States for the strategic relationship. She want to address the people of Pakistan to remove misperceptions about the Kerry-Lugar bill.
To another question she said the US is determined to root out the leadership and Lieutenants who recruit suicide bombers. At the same time they are also open to those who are ready to change their minds and willing to pursue their views in a peaceful and democratic manner. She said there are people in Taliban who are not as committed as the leadership.
About the military posts, she said they have more military presence on the border, they changed some of the outposts locations but consolidated some others. They would cooperate with Pakistan military ad looking how together they can address the challenges on the border.
She said this is a fight that cannot be avoided. She said if those launching attacks are so sure, they should join the political process and make their cause but they do not gor for that. She commented the democratic government of Pakistan for taking this fight because it is not an easy one to undertake.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said they discussed situation in Afghanistan as both the countries have interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He said both the countries of the view that their relationship has to go beyond fighting terrorism. He said Pakistan is a resource rich country andneeded US support and help in using its natural resources, need help to resolve energy crisis. They also discussed how they can be sensitive to each other core interests. He also gave Pakistan’s view point for consideration in the new US Afghan strategy.
Qureshi said Pakistan and US have reservations about each others policies which is needed to be addressed through building of trust. He said the talks were useful and the visit of the Secretary will add a new chapter in their relations.
Replying to a question, Qureshi said the acts of suicide bombings and attacks are taking place on a daily basis but they cannot shake the resolve and determination of the Government to fight this menace. He said Pakistan cannot be bucked down and will fight them because it wants peace and stability. He said the militants are on the run, Pakis