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Shun Iran pipeline, open up to India: US to Pak
http://zeenews.**********/news/south-asia/shun-iran-pipeline-open-up-to-india-us-to-pak_743827.html
Last Updated: Friday, November 25, 2011, 21:18
Shun Iran pipeline, open up to India: US to Pak Lahore: The US on Friday asked Pakistan to quit from the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, saying Tehran was not a "reliable partner", as it advised Islamabad to "open up" to India.
Urging Pakistan not to forge partnerships with Iran, US Ambassador Cameron Munter suggested it would be better if Pakistan focussed on another project (TAPI) to import gas from Turkmenistan via Afghanistan.
Munter's comments came as Obama Administration, stepped up efforts to internationally isolate Tehran for its alleged nuclear weapons programme.
Munter made the remarks during an interaction with students of the Lahore University of Management Sciences.
The Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project is not a "good idea" while the project to import gas from Turkmenistan is a "better idea", he said.
"Iran isn't a reliable partner. It's your choice but we think it is wise to open up with India," Munter said replying to a question from a student.
Reacting to the US envoy's remarks, Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said Pakistan would not accept any "dictation" on the pipeline project with Iran.
Pakistan would make all decisions on the basis of its national interests, she told reporters in Islamabad.
Munter, however, made it clear that the US did not pressurise Pakistan on such issues. Pakistan and Iran have finalised most aspects of the multi-billion dollar bilateral gas pipeline project. The US has for long opposed the project.
Several meetings have also been held in the past two years on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. This project has been held up due to concerns about Turkmenistan's proven gas reserves and the security situation in Afghanistan.
During his address in Lahore, Munter denied a media report that he had met cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and Inter-Services Intelligence agency chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha together.
"Yes, I have met both of them but in separate meetings," he said. Munter said the US wanted to strengthen civil and military ties with Pakistan.
The US had withdrawn some its officials from Pakistan after army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani expressed reservations over their presence in the country.
Referring to the issue of the secret memo sent to the former US military chief in the aftermath of the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May, Munter said it was Pakistan's responsibility to investigate the matter.
The envoy said the US wanted a strong Pakistan because it was in the interest of America.
"Pakistan's success is America's success," he told students, adding there was a "psychological problem" of "lack of trust" between the two sides.
Americans and Pakistanis like each other but issues like the war on terror get in the way of their relationship, he said.
http://zeenews.**********/news/south-asia/shun-iran-pipeline-open-up-to-india-us-to-pak_743827.html
Last Updated: Friday, November 25, 2011, 21:18
Shun Iran pipeline, open up to India: US to Pak Lahore: The US on Friday asked Pakistan to quit from the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, saying Tehran was not a "reliable partner", as it advised Islamabad to "open up" to India.
Urging Pakistan not to forge partnerships with Iran, US Ambassador Cameron Munter suggested it would be better if Pakistan focussed on another project (TAPI) to import gas from Turkmenistan via Afghanistan.
Munter's comments came as Obama Administration, stepped up efforts to internationally isolate Tehran for its alleged nuclear weapons programme.
Munter made the remarks during an interaction with students of the Lahore University of Management Sciences.
The Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project is not a "good idea" while the project to import gas from Turkmenistan is a "better idea", he said.
"Iran isn't a reliable partner. It's your choice but we think it is wise to open up with India," Munter said replying to a question from a student.
Reacting to the US envoy's remarks, Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said Pakistan would not accept any "dictation" on the pipeline project with Iran.
Pakistan would make all decisions on the basis of its national interests, she told reporters in Islamabad.
Munter, however, made it clear that the US did not pressurise Pakistan on such issues. Pakistan and Iran have finalised most aspects of the multi-billion dollar bilateral gas pipeline project. The US has for long opposed the project.
Several meetings have also been held in the past two years on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. This project has been held up due to concerns about Turkmenistan's proven gas reserves and the security situation in Afghanistan.
During his address in Lahore, Munter denied a media report that he had met cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and Inter-Services Intelligence agency chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha together.
"Yes, I have met both of them but in separate meetings," he said. Munter said the US wanted to strengthen civil and military ties with Pakistan.
The US had withdrawn some its officials from Pakistan after army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani expressed reservations over their presence in the country.
Referring to the issue of the secret memo sent to the former US military chief in the aftermath of the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May, Munter said it was Pakistan's responsibility to investigate the matter.
The envoy said the US wanted a strong Pakistan because it was in the interest of America.
"Pakistan's success is America's success," he told students, adding there was a "psychological problem" of "lack of trust" between the two sides.
Americans and Pakistanis like each other but issues like the war on terror get in the way of their relationship, he said.
