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US rules out changes in Kerry Lugar Bill, offers explanatory memo in lieu within 24 hrs

October 14th, 2009 - 1:22 pm ICT by ANI ( 1 comment )

Islamabad, Oct.14 (ANI): The United States has made it clear that it would not remove any clauses in the controversial Kerry Lugar bill, rather an explanatory memo addressing Pakistan’s reservations would be stapled in with the bill.

Interacting with mediapersons after a meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister, who had rushed back to Washington to convey Islamabad’s objections, Chairman of the Senate Foreign relations Committee John Kerry said a separate document would be attached with the bill to clarify the elements of the 7.5 billion dollar bill.

Kerry, the main sponsor of the bill; said the document would be prepared within the next 24 hours.

Sources said President Obama would sign the legislation only after the explanatory note is attached to it.

Kerry said it was important that Islamabad’s concerns are addressed, and underlined that the ‘true intent’ of the bill is to help bolster socio-economic development of the Pakistani people.

“He (Qureshi) expressed to me very clearly and very forcefully the ways in which the (Kerry-Lugar) Act has been misinterpreted or interpreted as the case may be by some in Pakistan and how important it is to our relationship and our ability to proceed forward in the direction that we all want to go, to make certain that we address those concerns,” The Nation quoted Kerry, as saying.

He highlighted that the bill has nothing in it, which challenges Pakistan’s sovereignty, and stressed that it has nothing to do with drone attacks, or private security companies.

“The bill signifies U.S. long-term commitment to the Pakistani people and seeks no micromanagement of Pakistanis affairs,” Kerry added.

Qureshi told reporters that the meeting was very successful, as Washington had taken note of Pakistan’s apprehensions.

“We discussed this very frankly. I think the message is loud and clear and has been understood. The two sides will work collectively to clarify and correct interpretations,” he said. (ANI)

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One Response

  1. Dr. O. P. Sudrania Says:

    “Is there someone out there?”- Obama in his first official address.

    I don’t think there is out there someone to hear him, not at least in Pakistan however loud may he screech. They only want to hear what they have decided to hear. I don’t think if his Cairo Speech has helped Him either to reach them “Out There”! You can’t wake up a man feigning asleep. Though US knows
    it well but Pakistan is stuck in their gullet like a fish bone. US
    needs a wake up call at last.

    It has been heard that beggars can’t be choosers. But you were wrong. Now the beggars have become very stronger choosers. Is someone out there to listen me too, please(I am being very generously polite)?

    Sharif in Urdu perhaps may translate ‘gentle’. Man has to be added separately, if I am not wrong? Has he become Sharif?

    No explanatory note will ever suffice them, be assured Mr Kerry
    or President Obama or Ma’m Clinton. They are made up of a different clay, hard to find on this earth.

    Peace, love, satisfaction, and etc are an ‘inner’ trait, totally
    lacking like fish in an Eagle’s nest; in that soil littered with dishonesty and deciet right from its inception. Thanks to their founder father, so called Quaid-e-Azam or Baba-e-Azam. History bears the stark testimony to his
    dubious character, wolrd knows it.

    Best of luck, America. I shall ever pray for you, because praying for Pakistan is useless and needless, for those who do not have the basic mental faculty to understand.

    God bless

    Dr. O. P. Sudrania

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