29 Mar 2024
Thursday 31 January 2013 - 12:21
Story Code : 19016

US shows concerns over Pak-Iran gas pipeline project

Richard-OlsonISLAMABAD: The United States has learnt from its previous mistakes when it withdrew from Afghanistan, after achieving its short-term goals, and 2014 is expected to be different as the US would not disengage from the region.
The US Ambassador, Richard G Olson, said this while speaking at the Islamabad Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS) on Wednesday.On the Iran-Pakistan gas project, the ambassador said the US had concerns over this project, adding that US had been extending financial assistance to Pakistan for many energy projects, including the Bhasha Dam.

This time around even as we work with Pakistan to ensure that 2014 is not a repeat of 1989, we are not myopically focused on December 2014. We recognise the mistakes of the past. The United States will not disengage from the region. We see a Pakistan and a region that will continue to grow in importance. By 2050, Pakistan will likely become the fourth most populous country in the world. Pakistans global influence, regional weight and its role in the Islamic world will increase. We see a future in which the importance of open cooperation between the United States and Pakistan will become even more critical. We want to remain a close partner through this period of evolution and beyond, to assist Pakistan in reaching its potential economically, socially and politically, he said.

The US-Pak relationship, he said, is neither transient nor one of convenience. It cannot be. It is not dictated solely by the requirements of today, but rooted in the joint realisation that the security and prosperity of our peoples is better served when we remain engaged, and cooperate, he added.

Calling Pakistans upcoming election historic and a defining moment, Olson made it clear that the US did not support any one political party, or any one candidate.

He did not agree that the US was seeking a permanent base inside Afghanistan. We have no desire for permanent bases. Even if we have a residual presence after 2014, it will not be permanent and will be on Afghanistans request. Look at US military history. We have built bases and abandoned them like we did in Bosnia. Bases do not indicate a permanent presence. Our policy decision is that we will stay as long as Afghanistan wants us, he said in response to a question.

While reiterating that the US will prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, Olson said that President Obamas long-term goal was to have a nuclear-free world as nuclear weapons were too expensive and did not make the world a safer place. After killing and maiming thousands of Afghans, the exact number of which even former secretary State Hillary Clinton could not come up with, and destroying the infrastructure of Afghanistan many times over, the US now realises that it has to allow the Taliban to be a part of Afghanistans future, acknowledging that the US-led military might did not deliver. We must work together with the purpose to facilitate negotiated peace in Afghanistan.

The Afghan-led peace and reconciliation is the surest way to end violence and ensure the lasting stability of Afghanistan and the region. The US role is to help open the door for talks between Afghans, including support for a new office in Qatar, where negotiations can take place between the Afghan High Peace Council and the authorised representatives of the Taliban.

The end result of any process must be that the Taliban end violence, break ties with al-Qaeda, and accept Afghanistans constitution, including provisions that protect the rights of all citizens including women and minorities. If this happens, we believe the Taliban can be a part of Afghanistans future, he said.

By The News International

 

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