US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telephoned Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani late on Thursday and held extensive discussions on the Pakistan-US relations. She praised Pakistan’s commitment to eradicate terrorism and assured complete US support for the country’s anti-terror efforts. Hillary recalled that her last conversation with the prime minister on June 6 had been “very good and useful”, a statement issued by the government said. Both leaders expressed determination that al Qaeda had to be dismantled, disrupted and defeated, for which both countries should work together. Gilani said it was imperative to make distinction between the Taliban and al Qaeda, as it would help overcome the threat of extremism.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the establishment of the joint task force by the intelligence agencies of the two countries that would facilitate information sharing and coordination. Clinton said the CIA chief would be visiting Pakistan soon to hold talks for cooperation in the relevant fields. She told Gilani that her Deputy Secretary of State Nides, who is in charge of foreign economic assistance, would also be visiting Pakistan on June 14 to hold detailed discussions on economic matters. Nides would also meet the president, the prime minister and have discussions with Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh. Gilani told Hillary that there was a complete consensus in Pakistan to work together with the US to defeat terrorism.
