Saturday, March 13, 2010

High Level Pakistan US meetings in Washington

No doubt plans will be worked out as to how Pakistan is to continue with its fight against Islamic militants. No doubt none of the Pakistani officials will say boo about drones at these meetings although they may make a few little bleats when they return home. This is from the news. (pakistan)

High-level Pak-US dialogue begins on 18th



Thursday, March 11, 2010
WASHINGTON: The US capital, always a hub of political activity, is set to witness intense rounds of high-stake dialogue between Pakistani and US officials which will commence with the arrival of Pakistan navy chief, Admiral Noman Bashir on March 17.

Amiral Noman Bashir will begin top-level negotiations with the US officials in the Pentagon on March 18. Only days after the arrival of Admiral Bashir, chief of army staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is reaching Washington to hold very important dialogue with the US officials on the issue of regional security. Gen Kayani is expected to meet, among others, the US national security advisor Gen James Jones, secretary defence Robert gates, secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Admiral Mullen and ambassador Holbrooke. ISI chief Gen Shuja Pasha is also expected to join Gen Kayani in the dialogue with the top US officials.

In the last week of March foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will be in Washington with a high-level delegation to lead Pak-US strategic dialogue. The US side is expected to be led by secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

Then, in the second week of April, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani will arrive here to attend the Nuclear Security Summit, which is being hosted by US President Obama. Forty-three (43) heads of state or governments are expected to attend the summit. Prime Minister Gilani is due to arrive here on April 11. Besides attending the summit he is expected to meet President Obama. Top Pakistani and US officials are also working to arrange a meeting between the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Gilani though it is not confirmed yet whether such meeting will take place.

A US official said on condition of anonymity: “I hope it takes place in a good atmosphere because we are really working hard not only to get it done but also to make it meaningful.” Some officials also indicated that the prime minister might go to New York for a day as well.

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