New round of dialogue with US begins today


http://www.dawn.com/2007/09/12/top17.htm

By Qudssia Akhlaque

ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: Pakistan and the US are all set to open the much delayed second round of their strategic dialogue here on Wednesday to consider new proposals and review bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including energy, security, education and development.

The inaugural session of the dialogue was held in Washington in April 2006.

The talks will be held at the Foreign Office and co-chaired by foreign secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan on the Pakistani side and Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte on the US side.

While some members of the US Deputy Secretary Negroponte’s delegation are already in town, he is scheduled to arrive here on Wednesday morning along with Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher.

In the first round of dialogue, the US side was led by the Under-secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns but subsequently the Bush Administration upgraded it to the level of deputy secretary.

“During the strategic dialogue, both sides are expected to cover bilateral relations and regional and global issues of common interest. Among other things, the two sides would review progress in dialogues in four identified areas — economy, energy, education and science & technology — and agree on next steps,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.

so what is going to be new, they are going to give us more aid, just give us the F16s that will be fine

no they gonna ask for more contribution in bullshit (WOT) ..! idiots

more aid more pressure we should start thinking to stop compromising on our interests.

Carrots and Stick.... KILL UR OWN PPL in FATA and we pay u guys...

OH BTW Pakistan has handed over 500 ppl to USA and guess what as far as i know there is now treaty between Pakistan and USA i mean not extradition treaty... somewhat amazing... beside all these men should have been tried in Pakistan Courts first for breaking Pakistan laws b4 any question of handing them over to the USA.... ITs just getting SHAMEFUL... Reading news like that is making be put my head down in SHAME what has pakistan come to now...

Energy is something we want to push and something they want to hide from. Pakistan will push for nuclear technology, the USA will try to fob us off perhaps with "greener alternatives". It's incredible how this "green" revolution is happening worldwide. The western world is pushing developing countries to use ineffective and expensive sources of energy whilst It can use nuclear technology to meet the same needs.

Security will be the American concern. They will push for more action on the so called War on Terror. Pakistan will probably argue it's limits and the ineffectiveness of NATO and Afghan forces to control the problem on thier side. There will be edgy discussion around the issue of hot persuit and upped offensives on the Pakistani side of the border.

Education and Development: I think both countries will be somewhat sincere in thier discussion about this topic. Pakistan pushes the issues as the only tool to win the war on terror as opposed to just the battles against terrorists. The USA realises to some extent that this is required particulalry in FATA and the poorer regions and will win popularity for the Mushrraf government as well as perhaps public opinion within those regions, as they are fully aware they are stuck for the long term if they want a positive outcome.