U.S fully satisfied with operations conducted by Pakistan against extremist elements suspected of hiding in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan: Ambassador Qazi

WASHINGTON, Jun 18 (APP)- Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi Thursday said the U.S.government was fully satisfied with the operations being conducted by Pakistan against extremist elements suspectedof hiding in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

The Ambassador observed this during separate meetings held with Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-Nevada) and Congressman Ed Royce (R-California). Matters discussed included those pertaining to Pakistan-U.S. relations, Wana operation, non-proliferation, and U.S. assistance allocation.

The Ambassador briefed Rep. Berkley on Pakistan's continued cooperation against extremist elements, and highlighted the recent operation in the tribal areas, along the border with Afghanistan. Mr. Qazi noted that foreign elements had been living in this area since the time of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Pakistan wants all extremist elements removed from the area. It has adopted an approach of combining political steps with military operations where needed. This approach, he said had produced tangible successes.

Congresswoman Berkley, who had recently attended a conference on Islam at Spain, sought the Ambassador's elaboration to the concept of enlightened moderation propounded by President Pervez Musharraf, and Mr. Qazi explained it elaborately. He said if the U.S. could provide military hardware and resources needed forsuch operations, the results would be even better. Nevertheless, Pakistan was determined to stay the course.

The Congresswoman said that the situation in Iraq had suggested that a combination of political approach with military operations was better than the use of force alone.

He briefed the Congresswoman on education and maressah reforms conducted by Pakistan. He also highlighted results achieved by the very successful economic policies adopted by Pakistan.

Mr. Qazi noted the renewed bilateral relations with the United States. He sought her support for a conditionalities-free assistance allocations in the next U.S. fiscal year, and Rep.Berkley assured him of her support.

Discussing Pakistan-India relations, Ambassador Qazi saidthat progesss had been achieved with the outgoing BJP government.Pakistan wanted to build on that, and initial indications were positive.

He noted that the two countries had resumed dialogue on various issues and hoped that would lead to addressing the moresubstantial issues.

Amb. Qazi in his meeting with Congressman Ed Royce, who is a former chair of India caucus in the House of Representatives, discussed Pakistan-India relations, U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relations, and measures taken by Pakistan in the fight against terror.

Rep. Royce referred to the perception in some circles that terrorist elements continued to operate in the tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Amb. Qazi briefed him comprehensively on the approach adopted by Pakistan to tackle this problem. He extensively touched the steps taken by Pakistan to tackle the problem, including the combination of political and military approaches, and the successes achieved in this behalf.

There was unity in policy making circles regarding the measures against terrorism, and as a result of these measures,these elements were on the run.

Ed Royce felt that the comprehensive approach that involved military forces and timely gathering of information from the ground, would be most effective.

Amb. Ashraf Qazi agreed but said that ought to be combined with developmental activity in the area to address the frustrations of the local people. He also briefed the Congresman on education and economic reforms of the government.

He urged the Congressman to provide better access to Pakistani products, especially textiles in the U.S. market. Rep. Royce felt that the U.S. should enter into preferential trade agreements with the countries of South Asia- while the countries of that region also needed to increase their trade with each other. Amb. Qazi said that Pakistan was in favour of these proposals.

Mr. Qazi said, Pakistan was supportive of the idea of gas pipelines from Central Asia to the region.

The Ambassador urged the Congressman to support the U.S.fiscal 05 assistance allocations under consideratikon in the Congress.

Amb. Qazi briefed the Congressman on the recent developments in Pakistan-India relations and said that Pakistan looked forward to making progress in tackling issues with India.