Kerry Lugar bill not a threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty: US

WASHINGTON - Dispelling fears raised by the Pakistan Army that the Kerry Lugar bill is a compromise on the country’s sovereignty, US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley said “we are not going to impose US solutions on Pakistani problems”.

The bill provides unconditional non-military US aid to Pakistan but imposes conditions for military assistance. The Pakistan Army said the bill is not in line with the official position of Zardari’s government, GEO TV reported Thursday.

The Obama administration believes there was no threat to the democratically elected government in Islamabad in view of the Pakistani Army’s public opposition to the bill, Crawley told reporters Wednesday.

Asked about the differences that have emerged between the Zardari government and Pakistan military on the issue, Crawley said: “I don’t think it is a threat to the civilian government in Pakistan.”

“Quite the opposite. I think that actually what you are seeing is a government in Pakistan that is becoming more confident. It is becoming more assertive. It is doing things that are important to, you know, the Pakistani people,” Crowley said.

“We are working very diligently, very closely with the Pakistani government. That’s why the Secretary (of State) and the (Pakistani) foreign minister met yesterday (Wednesday). It’s why the secretary and President (Asif Ali) Zardari met in New York,” he added.

Noting that the US recognises that Pakistan is shouldering a significant burden on the war against terrorism, he said the administration wants to make sure that there is proper international support for Pakistan.

Asserting that the Obama administration is committed to help Pakistan, he, however, said the US would not impose its will or dictate things to Islamabad. “We are committed to work closely with Pakistan. We are not going to impose US solutions on Pakistani problems.”