Shumaila Andleeb
ONBOARD PM’s AIRCRAFT, July 3, 2008 (APP): Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday said with his visit to United States and meetings with top US leadership, the two countries have entered into a new era of confidence-building partnership.
Talking to reporters onboard his aircraft, the Prime Minister described the visit to United States as “dignified and honourable” that was made at the invitation of US President, which resulted into a beginning of more trustworthy relationship between the two countries.
Gilani said the Pak-US relationship would now be focused on “Peace and prosperity through partnership”.
He said his talks with President Bush covered political relationship, war on terror, army-to-army relationship, economic ties and other issues within the ambit of strategic dialogue.
He said US administration showed interest in enhancing economic ties with Pakistan with setting up of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones in selected areas for the uplift of people and giving them direct access to US markets.
He said the United States has also assured of respecting Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Prime Minister said he spoke high about Pakistan army when keenly asked by the US leadership, adding he conveyed to them that “Pakistan army is highly professional, best in the world and supports democracy in the country.”
He also quoted his statement in an interview with CNN in Washington, where he said that US should also do more for Pakistan rather than just expecting from it to do more.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was in dire need of financial assistance to overcome the economic crises. He said the country was already taking assistance from United States and United Kingdom, and was also seeking the same from Saudi Arabia.
He said before Ramzan ul Mubarak, the government would bring a relief package for common man through providing subsidized items at Utility Stores and through Benazir Income Support Fund.
He said he would direct the provincial governments to check hoarding of food commodities throughout the year and particularly during Ramzan.
This was Prime Minister’s first visit to United States where he met top US leadership including President George Bush, who also hosted a luncheon for him at White House. Gilani also held meetings with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and legislators at the Capitol Hill.
Gilani also had interaction with presidential candidates Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, besides addressing businessmen at a meeting organized by US-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce.
Another highlight of Prime Minister’s visit was to chair the Energy Roundtable Conference at the World Bank, that received tremendous response from the US investors.
The Prime Minister also gave interviews to different media programs including CNN, Washington Post editorial Board and an interview with Jim Lehrer for News Hour. He also addressed at a think-tank event organized by Council on Foreign Relations, where he responded to several issues of Pak-US interest.
Another action that took place on the occasion of PM’s visit was the unanimous approval of the Biden-Lugar Bill by U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, committing 15 billion dollars of development assistance to Pakistan over next decade.