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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has spoken by phone with Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss the process of political reconciliation in Afghanistan and other issues.
A statement released on Thursday by State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Pompeo and Gen Bajwa discussed ways to advance US-Pakistan bilateral relations, the need for political reconciliation in Afghanistan and the importance of targeting all militant and terrorist groups in South Asia without distinction.
Pakistan hosted the first direct peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban in 2015, but they ended when Kabul announced the death of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar.
Washington has talked up the prospects for peace many times and Pakistan has said it will help to ensure its neighbour's stability.
Earlier this year, US had assured Pakistan that it does not want to sever bilateral ties with this important ally while Islamabad extended its “wholehearted support” to the US-backed Afghan offer of peace talks with the Taliban.
The statements had supplement renewed efforts to improve relations between the US and Pakistan which were once close allies in the war against terror.
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Comments (37) Closed
Jun 07, 2018 06:13pm
Do more
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Jun 07, 2018 06:25pm
Good. Pakistan needs to maintain good relations wih US
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Jun 07, 2018 06:26pm
Yeah right! Just what we need at this time. While Senor Pompeo is on a roll, let's also being the reconciliation process in Yemen, the Sudan and Syria. The senor has much to answer for about US policies and actions in the aforementioned countries.
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Jun 07, 2018 06:30pm
Do you really believe in this,
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Jun 07, 2018 06:47pm
@saksci NO. Their intentions are one-sided and selective among other problems in Yemen Syria etc. not to mention the latest withdrawal from Iran deal signed by major countries. Under DT, USA can't be trusted - see the situation in Palestine.
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Jun 07, 2018 06:52pm
Pakistan should look out for it's own interests and stop putting American and western interests before theres.Where has that got pakistan and in which way has that benefited the pakistani people.
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Jun 07, 2018 07:04pm
Do not need "strategic depth". Will go nowhere
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Jun 07, 2018 07:04pm
Interesting times
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Jun 07, 2018 07:11pm
So who's the boss Trump? No more tough talk?
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Jun 07, 2018 07:36pm
Spoke by phone? Why not in person? He met in person with NK authorities, he should meet in person Pakistani leadership asap to resolve issues.
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Jun 07, 2018 07:37pm
He should be talking to the foreign office and not approach to COAS.
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Jun 07, 2018 07:47pm
Improved relations with U.S are welcome.
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Jun 07, 2018 07:51pm
I would stay a mile away from such hawkish Trump nominees as Pompeo and John Bolton. They are a motley crew of a circus that will crash and burn eventually, Diplomacy is an art they are unfamiliar with. Contradictions and bullying is their trade-mark.
Consider the fact that next week Trump is schedule to meet the North Korean leader - supposedly to reach a deal with the Charman Kim (the former 'little rocket man according to Trump). Yet, just yesterday US slapped sanctions against its closest allies and fellow-G7 and NATO members, with hefty trariffs on Steel and Aluminium imports. Even labled closest ally Canada - with the singular largest undefended border between two nations - 'a threat to US National Security'. Just weeks earlier US rescinded the Iran Nuclear Deal too. Canceled the Climate Change Accords and backed out of serveral other international pacts and treaties.
Given this background, does anyone seriously believes what comes from Washington these days? Not likely!
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Jun 07, 2018 08:26pm
Why Pakistan is bitten every time from same hole.
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Jun 07, 2018 08:29pm
Probably Pakistan is the only country where Gen is contacted by foreign secretary of another country for diplomatic talk instead of contacting foreign minister.
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Jun 07, 2018 08:32pm
This should be done by elected person not by Military head, we are just repeating the same old mistake, as our military and elected parliament should work together in the interest of Pakistan. We as a nation should have a strategy on our foreign policies This way we will strengthen our national interest and can have meaning full dialogues with other countries ....................just a thought
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Jun 07, 2018 08:42pm
It's an opportunity for pakistan to make up with USA. Go for it.
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Jun 07, 2018 08:49pm
Why did the US Secretary not call the Foreign Minister.
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Jun 07, 2018 08:55pm
US knows it cannot dictate Pakistan.
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Jun 07, 2018 08:57pm
Who trust you now?
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Jun 07, 2018 09:23pm
No ! This is just another ploy ... not a reconciliation
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Jun 07, 2018 09:58pm
This is the first meeting in which pleasantries are exchanged. Wait for the next meeting that would totally be opposite to this one. The main issue is the trust deficit on both sides which is partially fueled by the two neighbors of Pakistan. Pompeo views on all matters involving Pakistan contradicts with Pakistani viewpoint.
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Jun 07, 2018 10:48pm
No more.
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Jun 08, 2018 12:01am
Why change of heart immediately after formation of interim Government.Should we expect significant change in Pak -US relationship.
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Jun 08, 2018 12:50am
@ABE Words of wisdom from you dear brother. I agree with 100%. Your words are the truth (Sachi Baat)
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Jun 08, 2018 01:05am
@saksci no, do you?
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Jun 08, 2018 01:34am
Why did he bypass the civil government set up and approach CAS directly?
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Jun 08, 2018 02:21am
Keep emotions in check and go for the opportunity to avoid being a pariah!
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Jun 08, 2018 02:21am
@Junaid jam shed No More
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Jun 08, 2018 02:23am
@Think .And what exactly will Pakistan get from this opportunity ? Please shed some light
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Jun 08, 2018 03:07am
@ABE : You are a genius. Very well said. Their Pakistani counterparts are experts in world diplomacy. Look at Pakistan. I think, after North Korea, it is Pakistan.
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Jun 08, 2018 03:16am
Why are military discussing political issues? Where is the Pakistani political leadership?
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Jun 08, 2018 04:50am
Pakistan and US are long term natural allies. They should work their issues out.
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Jun 08, 2018 05:20am
US will never be friend of Pakistan or India. It's looking after it's own interest , so forget friendship, be pragmatic.
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Jun 08, 2018 06:53am
Trump has made US the laughing stock of the rest of the civilized world and Pakistan is not far behind. The big difference being the US has power and Pakistan has none. A sad state of affairs from both angles.
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Jun 08, 2018 07:21am
Sure Pakistan should maintain good relations with the US and all other countries (especially in your own neighborhood) BUT please look out for your own interests first. Choose good leader in upcoming elections who has Pakistan's interests not only ahead of his own iterests but ahead of his own life!
Keep in mind that the US foreign interests change more frequently than a baby's diapers but they are alwayys in their own favor so learn from that but don't fall for that. Good luck!
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Jun 08, 2018 07:25am
@ABE
Well put. Let's hope Pakistani leadership is listening and analyzed the whole picture in an unbiased honest way but I doubt it :(
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