Qureshi, Rice hold 'frank' talks

WASHINGTON: - Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi described his hour-long meeting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as "candid, frank, realistic and honest," during which they discussed a wide range of issues, from security to the situation in the tribal areas to economic cooperation.

He told waiting repoters that his meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta in New York earlier this week also came up for discussion, as did his recent visit to New Delhi.

But diplomats said that the words Qureshi used to describe his talks with Rice  -- candid, frank, realistic and honest - meant a lack of agreement on the issues discussed.

Responding to a question, Qureshi said that Pakistan would not permit its territory to be used by foreign troops. He said Pakistan is in the war against terrorism in its own enlightened national interest and it is doing all it can to assist the effort to fight terrorism. He made it clear that Pakistan does not subscribe to the Taliban ideology, which he called counter to the teachings of Islam. He said Pakistan is using both force, where necessary, and negotiations where required to deal with the situation in the tribal areas.

"We are talking from a position of strength," he added, pointing out the recent Bara-Khyber Agency operation against the local militants was indicative of Pakistan's approach. He said Pakistan desires a long-term, broad-based relationship with the United States. Asked about the billions of dollars that Pakistan has received from the United States since 9/11 and the relative lack of effective results those vast sums have produced in terms of the war against terrorism, he replied, "We do not think in terms of dollars and cents, but in terms of concepts." 

To a question about military action by the US against terrorist targets in Pakistan, he replied, "Action in Pakistan will be taken by Pakistani troops."

The Pakistani government, he added, has taken action against violent extremists in areas along its Afghan border but at the same time it is talking to sane segments from a position of strength to isolate terrorists and curb extremism in the long-term perspective.

He pointed out the recent anti-terror actions in Khyber agency clearly gave the message if the commitments are not followed the "use of force cannot be ruled out."

Editor: here please add details from agencies.