FO admits differences with US

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Thursday rejected the assertion made by Special US envoy Richard Holbrooke that Indias role was 'critical in South Asia and said all states were equally important in efforts to resolve regional matters.
At a news conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, Holbrooke had said, Leadership is absolutely vital and India plays a critical role in that regard. We cannot settle Afghanistan and many other world problems without Indias full involvement.
Answering a question on Holbrookes comments here at his weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said, All countries in the region are important and have a role to play in solving regional problems.
He said that he would not use such terminology to describe the neighbouring country.
He said there was a need to opt for a regional approach when it came to addressing the root causes of terrorism. Pakistan is hopeful the strategy review being conducted by the new US administration will lead to fresh approaches to tackle the root causes of terrorism, Basit added.
Answering another question, he said Pakistan had conveyed the sentiments of its people to the US leadership on drone attacks with full force and the issue would be taken in the trilateral meeting being held in Washington in May.
He said, Foreign Minister Qureshi has made it clear to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Admiral Mullen during his meeting with them in Islamabad that drone attacks are violation of Pakistans sovereignty.
Pakistan has once again reiterated that these drone attacks have proved counter productive and the matter has been raised to the highest level, he said.
He also said the drone issue was one of the disagreements between Pakistan and United States.
Pakistan has engaged with United States on the issue of war against terrorism but we do have some disagreement on certain issues. We look forward to discuss the 'disagreement issues with US leadership in the trilateral meeting, Basit said.
He said there was no proof of al-Qaedas presence in Balochistan and the US officials had also extended assurance about no drone attacks on the province.
When asked about the progress made on Reconstruction Opportunities Zones for FATA by US, he hoped that necessary legislation was under progress in Washington and they would complete that before June this year.
On recent arrests of Pakistani students in Britain, Basit said that the matter was being investigated and it would be premature to comment on the issue before any information were provided by the Pakistani diplomatic mission in Britain.