LAHORE, May 21: Outgoing US ambassador Wendy Chamberlin said here on Tuesday that her government was actively trying to ease tensions between Pakistan and India, adding that “we are here for long-term cooperation and elimination of terrorism.”

She was speaking to reporters at Jamia Naeemia which, according to her, she visited to learn more about Islam and the Islamic teachings at the seminary.

The ambassador said her government was very concerned about the rising tensions between Pakistan and India. President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powel had been talking to both the countries extensively so as to reduce tension, she said.

She said in fact America had been asking both the countries to reduce the tensions for the past many months and, therefore, the peace effort was not new. However, it had stepped up its efforts because of the precarious situation at the borders of the two countries.

“We are working with both the nations to reduce the tensions, asking them to take steps in the interest of their people,” Ms Chamberlin said.

She parried a question about reports in some US newspapers that the US would take over Pakistan’s nuclear installations in case of war with India, saying she had not seen any such article or comment.

“I can assure you that the government and people of America have embraced our renewed friendship with Pakistan which has grown stronger following the fateful events of September the 11th,” she said.

She said America was here for long-term (objectives). She explained that by long-term she meant that America was committed to help Pakistan in the fields of education, employment, health, development and debt reduction.

“We have come here for this purpose and we are going to find real peace and elimination of terrorism here and in America,” Ms Chamberlin said.

Earlier, she said she had visited the seminary to get basic knowledge of Islam so that she could inform her people that it was a religion which taught peace and condemned killing of human beings and declared suicide attacks as a shameful act. She said she also wanted to tell her people that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism.

The ambassador said she was happy to learn that 1,350 young men were being taught at the seminary and 800 girls at one of its branches. She was impressed with the fact that besides Islamic teachings, the seminary was offering education in subjects like computers, mathematics and economics, enabling the students to bring prosperity to their families, society and the country.

Meanwhile, speaking to the management and the students of the seminary she said America had to intervene in Afghanistan after the terrorist attacks on its soil on Sept 11. Another reason was that the UN had complained of problems in providing food and relief to Afghan people because of the Taliban. “We wanted to help the Afghans,” she said.

Ms Chamberlin admitted that America was against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda because, what she said, they were usurping the rights of the Afghan people.

“We will ensure the rights of the Afghan people and provision of food and medicines to them with the help of Pakistan,” she said.

She said America was making extensive efforts, which were unparallel in a decade, to reduce tensions between Pakistan and India and to resolve all their disputes, including that of Kashmir, in a peaceful manner.

In her view, she said, it was for the peoples of the region to decide which path was better for them. The people of Pakistan required education, health facilities, good governance and strong economy. America was a friend of Pakistan and would continue to cooperate with it in these fields, she said.

She said Islam was fast spreading in the world, including America. She was grateful to the administration of the seminary for inviting her there for better understanding of the religion.

Jamia Naeemia Principal Dr Sarfraz Naeemi explained the aims and objectives of the seminary and the courses it was offering to the students.

Dr Naeemi said it was not justified to throw bombs on the Afghan people because of Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omer because they (the people) had not harmed America in any manner.

He said Pakistan had given all support to America and now it was its duty to ask India to withdraw its forces from the borders.

The ambassador also took a round of the seminary and asked questions about the courses.