ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday called upon US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to give peace a chance as envisaged in the All Parties Conference’s resolution, which reflects the sentiments of Pakistani nation.
The Prime Minister said this during his meeting with the US Secretary of State, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House.The Prime Minister welcomed Secretary Hillary Clinton and the members of her delegation followed by a meeting, which was held in a cordial and frank atmosphere. He reiterated the collective national view on the issue of peace in Afghanistan as articulated in the All Parties Conference’s resolution.Disagreements between the coalition partners in the war on terror should not undermine strategic relationship which is so vital for the promotion ofmutual interests of the two countries, said the Prime Minister.
The discussion also focused on the bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of security, economy, energy and investment.Both the sides urged on the importance of positive messaging in public diplomacy to promote an enabling environment between the two countries.The Prime Minister said that both the countries should complement each other to counter terrorism, adding that the relationship should also go beyond terrorism.The US Secretary of State said,”I have too much respect for Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and for the country.”
She recognized the importance of Pakistan in the context of peace and security in the region. She appreciated the All Parties Conference’s resolution,which she said, was a right message from Pakistan to the world.In the meeting, the Pakistan’s side included Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Chief of Army Staff General Asfhaq Parvez Kayani, Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, Foreign Secretary and Principal Secretary to thePrime Minister.Hilary Clinton was joined by General Patraeus, Director CIA, Marc Grossman, US Ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Munter, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempesy, and Lt. General Douglas Lute. – APP
