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July 29, 2008
Bush-Gilani Statement Papers Over Key
Issues
Washington
The joint statement released after Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf
Raza Gilani met US President George W. Bush papers over key issues
like Washington's perception that Islamabad is not doing enough to
curb terrorism along the border with Afghanistan and US strikes in
Pakistani territory, one of which came a few hours before the
meeting.
While acknowledging that terrorism poses a common threat to
Pakistan, the US and the international community, the two leaders
reiterated Monday that "success in countering terrorism will require
a comprehensive strategy, including increased security, improved
governance, and opportunity for socio-economic development for the
people especially in the less-developed regions of Pakistan".
Reaffirming their commitment to their long-term Strategic
Partnership, Bush and Gilani attached importance to the next round
of the Strategic Dialogue in September and regularly thereafter to
review issues of mutual interest.
The joint statement also mentioned encouraging "the Pakistan-India
composite dialogue process to reduce tensions, build trust, and
resolve all outstanding issues".
The US promised to help Pakistan enhance its defence capabilities,
especially in counter-terrorism, through training and equipment. It
will cooperate with the Pakistani Frontier Corps and other Pakistani
security forces on the front lines in the fight against extremism.
The two countries will also renew joint efforts to root out
extremism along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including in the
Northwest Frontier Province, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas
and Balochistan.
The two leaders agreed that the focus of the broad-based Pakistan-US
relationship should remain on ensuring the well-being of the people
by assisting Pakistan implement its national development agenda in a
comprehensive manner.
They welcomed recent efforts in the US Congress to extend the US'
assistance commitment to Pakistan to help address its most urgent
needs, including education, agriculture, and energy.
The US will provide $115.5 million in food security assistance to
Pakistan, including $42.5 million over the next nine months, the
statement released by the White House said.
IANS
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July 29, 2008
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