US seeks more info from China on its nuke deal with Pak

The US has sought more information from China on its agreement to supply two nuclear reactors to Pakistan, saying the deal would need an agreement of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. "We as a first step are looking for more information from China as to what it is potentially proposing," State Department spokesman, Mr P.J. Crowley, told reporters at his daily press briefing. He was responding to a question on last week's meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in New Zealand, wherein China informed the group about its decision to supply two additional nuclear power plants to Pakistan. "We did raise the issue during last week's Nuclear Suppliers Group. We continue to seek information from China regarding its future plans," Crowley said. He said there was no unanimous consensus at the meeting of the NSG, which operates by consensus. "We have a view that this initiative as it goes forward would need the agreement of the Nuclear Suppliers Group," Mr Crowley said.

U.S. rules out mediating between India and Pak on key issues

Ahead of the key strategic dialogue with Pakistan, the Obama administration on Wednesday shot down Islamabad’s plea to help it resume peace talks with India and mediate on key disputes with New Delhi on issues including Kashmir.

It is for India and Pakistan to resolve all their disputes bilaterally and the Obama Administration does not sees a role for itself in it unless both the countries want it, Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke told journalists at a joint press conference with the Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir here.

Responding to questions from the Pakistani media on this issue, Holbrooke, however, said that the U.S. encourages both India and Pakistan to talk to each other on all the issues.

He said talking on Kashmir is not in his mandate.

Holbrooke said the first ever Cabinet level Strategic Dialogue between the two countries would be an important milestone in building relationship U.S.-Pak between.

At another reception at the Pakistani Embassy on the occasion of Pakistan National Day, visiting Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he is here to build a partnership with the US based on mutual trust, confidence and shared objectives.

“We have made progress in Pakistan and the world is acknowledging our sacrifices. We are ready to deliver, we are ready to move, let’s build a partnership which is lasting,” Mr. Qureshi said.

The reception was attended by top officials of the Obama Administration including National Security Adviser General (rtd) James Jones, lawmakers and US ambassador in Islamabad Anne Paterson.

Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Finance Adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh also attended the reception.

Earlier, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said the Obama Administration has spent a lot of time trying to convince all countries in the region that ultimately improved relations with the United States and with others in the region is in everyone’s interest.

“We continue to make that clear. Assistant Secretary (Robert) Blake has been in the region and I think is trying to help various countries understand the context within which these expanded dialogues with all of the countries continue and are in everyone’s interest,” Crowley said.