0
ISLAMABAD: The United States is committed to improving its relationship with Pakistan, despite tensions over the shooting deaths of two Pakistanis by a CIA contractor, the US ambassador told a skeptical audience Monday.
In his first major public speech since the Jan. 27 shootings, Cameron Munter spoke of a "renewal" in Pakistani-US relations and noted America's many humanitarian programs in the country.
Pakistan's cooperation is considered key to stabilising Afghanistan.
Munter's comments came as Pakistan's spy chief visited the US, where he was to meet with the head of the CIA.
"It remains vital to us both to see progress in Pakistan and the region, in the interest of peace, stability and prosperity of Pakistan and its neighbors," Munter told academics and former diplomats at a think tank in the capital, Islamabad.
He later said he wanted to concentrate on "opportunities in the future, not of problems of the past."
The audience peppered him with questions and comments that revealed how deep suspicion of US motives remains here.
One man requested that Munter tell US officials to stop American missile strikes on militant targets on the Pakistan side of the Afghan border. Some questioned whether the US would ever treat Pakistan on par with its archrival India. Others suggested that the US tries to micromanage Pakistani affairs.
Munter welcomed the criticism, saying he'd rather Pakistanis be blunt and honest than stay silent.
