- NSA Susan Rice tells Pak officials attacks in Afghanistan by ‘Pak-based’ militants ‘absolutely unacceptable’
- Invites PM Sharif to visit US in Oct for meeting with Obama
- Sharif briefs Rice on situation along LoC and Working Boundary with India, RAW’s involvement in terrorism inside Pakistan
US National Security Adviser Susan Rice on Sunday told top civilian and military leaders in Islamabad that attacks in neighboring Afghanistan by Pakistan-based militants were “absolutely unacceptable”.
She, however, lauded Pakistan’s efforts in arranging peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban leaders in Murree.
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), during a one-day stop in Pakistan after a visit to China, Rice also delivered an invitation for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to meet US President Barack Obama in Washington in October.
The report said that Rice pressed Pakistan to do more to prevent terrorists from using its territory as a base for attacks on its neighboring states and to improve ties with India and Afghanistan. Islamabad accuses both countries of sponsoring anti-Pakistan militants.
“In Islamabad today, discussed how to deepen coop. to tackle shared priorities. Encouraged Pakistan to advance regional peace & stability,” a post on Ms. Rice’s Twitter account said on Sunday. She met Prime Minister Sharif and Army chief General Raheel Sharif.
Washington has warned Pakistan that it stands to lose $300 million in US military aid if it doesn’t crack down harder on the Haqqani network, American officials said.
A statement from Sharif’s office said: “The United States is an important partner of Pakistan in all areas, especially economy, defense and counterterrorism.”
The Afghan government has lashed out at Pakistan over a series of deadly bombings in Kabul in recent weeks that have killed dozens of people—including three Americans—and which the Afghan government blames on the Haqqani network, a jihadist group it says is based in Pakistan.
“We share the concern of the Afghan government. This is absolutely unacceptable,” said the American official. Rice told Pakistani leaders that “terrorist and militant attacks have developed into a key point of regional friction. Addressing this challenge will be imperative for Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors and with Washington,” the official said, though she said US-Pakistani relations were “very good”.
Analysts believe the US wants Islamabad to go after the leadership of the Haqqani network, which Washington says operates freely in Pakistan. The head of the Haqqani network was made deputy leader of the Taliban at a meeting late last month in the western Pakistani city of Quetta, after confirmation of the death of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar, according to the Taliban.
Pakistan denies that leaders of the Taliban or Haqqani network are based in the country, though Islamabad admits they may visit the country.
A tweet from the official Twitter account of a Pakistani military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said that during the meeting between Rice and Gen Raheel, “Both dignitaries also recognized the continued need for close coordination for ensuring peace & stability in [Afghanistan] and the region.”
THE RAW AFFAIR:
Meanwhile, local media reports said that during the meeting with the US NSA, PM Sharif highlighted the stalled dialogue process between Pakistan and India and reportedly handed over a report on Indian aggression along the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary (WB) and Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)’s involvement in Balochistan.
Dr Rice was accompanied by US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson and Senior Director for South Asian Affairs at the US National Security Council Dr Peter Lavoy. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz and Secretary Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting.
According to an official handout, the two leaders exchanged views on the regional security situation as well as peace in neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan’s role in the peace process.
“Dr Rice expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the efforts to root out terrorism and extremism and the success achieved so far,” a statement from the PM House said.
It said that Rice lauded Pakistan’s role in bringing regional stability by holding the first round of Taliban dialogue in Islamabad. She also expressed appreciation for the premier’s vision of a peaceful neighbourhood, it added.
Rice assured the Pakistani leaders that Pakistan’s concerns regarding issuance of CSF and security issues will be conveyed to the White House.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Sharif said the US was an important partner of Pakistan in all areas, especially economy, defence and counterterrorism.
“Pakistan sees its relations with the US as a partnership which is in the interest of the two countries, the region and the world.”
PM Sharif said he was looking forward to his visit to the US in October this year as an opportunity to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
On the occasion, the premier took Dr Rice into confidence regarding the prevailing security situation in the region, particularly relations with India and Afghanistan.
A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is not only of regional interest, but also in Pakistan’s interest, the prime minister said.
On relations with New Delhi, Sharif said Pakistan wanted to hold a meaningful and objective dialogue on all outstanding issues with India. He also informed the US delegation the reasons behind the cancellation of talks between NSAs of India and Pakistan.
Furthermore, Dr Rice also held a separate meeting with PM’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, a Foreign Office statement said.
“Wide-ranging discussions were held on the regional situation especially in the wake of emerging security environment in Afghanistan and current stalemate in Pakistan-India dialogue process,” the statement said.