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Remarks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi After Their Meeting

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

October 22, 2010

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FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: It’s all for you.

SECRETARY CLINTON: No, I do this all the time and there’s rarely as many people. I was telling the foreign minister he draws a big crowd here.

Well, good afternoon. It has been a great pleasure to be with Minister Qureshi once again. I am happy to extend the hospitality that he and his government so graciously extended to me during my last trip to Pakistan in the summer.

We have just wrapped up three days of intensive discussions in our third U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. Each of these sessions has been more productive than the last as we deepen our understanding of each other’s needs and discover new opportunities for cooperation. This time, we have final blueprints from each of our 13 working groups. They lay out specific agreements, actions and benchmarks for making tangible improvements in the lives of the Pakistani people. These include projects in water, electricity, women’s empowerment, health, agriculture, and most urgently, jumpstarting Pakistan’s recovery from the catastrophic floods.

I also wanted to express on a personal note, my deep sorrow and my outrage at the killing of Dr. Mohammad Farooq Khan by Taliban assassins on October 2nd. Dr. Farooq was the Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University in Swat; he was a medical doctor and humanitarian; and a religious leader who spoke out against the evils of suicide bombing. I had the pleasure of his company and the benefits of his insights during my visit to Pakistan a year ago. I would like to extend my profound sympathies to Dr. Farooq’s family, his students, and his patients.

Our governments stand together in denouncing this murder, which, unfortunately and tragically, is part of a Taliban campaign of attacks against educators, against doctors, against people who are not on the front lines of any war, but indeed are on the front lines of mercy and compassion and education. And it strikes me as not just an assault on someone like him, but on the future of the youth of Pakistan.

To build the kind of bright future that young Pakistanis deserve, people of courage must stand against these extremists. And our two governments are working closely together with governments around the world, and millions and millions of people who understand the threat that is posed, to eliminate terrorism.

As we conclude this third Strategic Dialogue session in seven months, we can see that our intensive consultations, our frank discussions, our focus on cooperation have already yielded an improvement in our bilateral relationship. Thanks to the hard work of Minister Qureshi and his team of ministers, paired with their U.S. counterparts, we have made strides on a number of projects that Pakistanis have identified as priorities, such as increasing the vaccination rate for children and saving their lives, researching solutions to the arsenic contamination of drinking water, improving the productivity of wheat and cotton farms. We are also ensuring that the advancements of women is an integral part of all the projects that we pursue together, because we know that when we elevate the role of women, it benefits their families and particularly their children, and those benefits expand to communities as well.

I’m also pleased that we’ve continued our emphasis on helping to improve the business climate. And I’m excited today to announce today a new business development and mentorship program. The 10,000 Women Initiative, run by Goldman Sachs, will partner with the State Department to bring Pakistani women entrepreneurs for intensive training at the Thunderbird School for Global Management in Arizona, where the women will learn business and leadership skills, financial management, strategic planning and operations.

The first group of businesswomen will arrive next spring. And we hope to give them, as well as many other Pakistanis, the support needed to grow their businesses, create more jobs, and invest in their communities.

We continue to work on the high priorities of energy and water. We had excellent presentations and reports today from our working groups on energy and water. We’re focused on improving the electricity service, creating more opportunities for water storage, the kind of initiatives that were important before the floods but now are absolutely essential.

So I’m looking forward to working with my counterpart and friend, Minister Qureshi, and with these very dedicated teams of Pakistani and American officials to continue to develop more ways to enhance our cooperation and produce results for the people of Pakistan.

Now, let me turn to the minister.

FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: Thank you, Madam Secretary. Thank you for the leadership you have provided. Thank you for the understanding and thank you for the friendship that you have extended. Working with you has been indeed a wonderful experience. And I think, ladies and gentlemen, I would not be exaggerating if I said that collectively, we have broken the mold. We have set the ball rolling and it will only gain momentum with the passage of time.

We are determined to transform this relationship and we have collectively put together a unique format of engagement. What you saw today, what happened last night, the day before – visible, invisible – interaction, honest interaction, recognizing the fact that we could have differences – friends do have differences – but knowing the fact that we have to move ahead in our mutual interest. This relationship suits the United States as much as it suits Pakistan. We are both beneficiaries of that. The people of United States have to understand, by investing in Pakistan, United States is a beneficiary. And people of Pakistan have to understand to have United States as an enduring partner, Pakistan gains internationally and regionally.

We have discussed lots of things, lot of things which are part of the dialogue and even beyond the 13 sectors that were discussed. The fact that we’ve agreed to invite 200 journalists for a training program in the United States because we realized that public diplomacy is so important in democracies, and at times the message doesn’t get communicated. Now, who will communicate the message? You have to communicate the message. First of all, we have to understand what message we are giving, but we are giving the right message.

The message is that we are going to transform this relationship into a people-centric relationship. We are making an investment. We are making not a five-year investment; we are making an investment which is a generational investment, and that is what we are talking about. That is why when we are talking about water, we are talking about the improvement of productivity in Pakistan. When we talk about social sectors, we are talking about improvement in the quality of life of Pakistan. When we are talking about women empowerment, we are talking about giving 50 percent of the population of Pakistan a voice which they lacked in the past. That is a difference that this relationship is taking a new turn.

I also have shared with the Secretary of State when I was here in New York for the UNGA, I met Pakistanis, and they had meetings with attorneys, with lawyers, and they shared with me that if there is a natural disaster, there is a provision within the U.S. law of TPS. I had a word with the ambassador; the ambassadors had a word with the attorney. And this could be an opportunity to give many Pakistanis who are contributing to American society, to American economy, a legal status.

She’s been kind enough, she’s agreed to examine it. I think that will also improve our relations. And we’ve talked about a number of regional initiatives that we feel, if put into place, can be a game changer.

So thank you. Thank you for being so supportive and understanding.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. Thank you, Minister. Thank you very much.

FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: Thank you.

MR. CROWLEY: We have time for two questions on each side. We’ll start with Andy Quinn from Reuters.

QUESTION: I have a question for both of you. Minister Qureshi, this morning you had quite strong comments about the naysayers and the prophets of doom, as you put it, in Washington who publicly doubt Pakistan’s commitment to the anti-terror fight. I’d like to ask both of you why you think these attitudes persist and what both sides can do to turn the perceptions around.

And Madam Secretary, if I may, I’m just wondering if you have any comment ahead of the WikiLeaks release this weekend. Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: I think the quality of our relationship, the depth, the understanding that we have developed over the last two years should not be judged by pure media reports. We read them, we provide them, and we benefit from them. But I think our relationship is stronger than what it is believed to be. I think at the working level, there is a greater understanding, perhaps it is often misunderstood.

Many felt when I was leaving for Washington that, “Ah ha, it’s going to be tough talking.” Friends talk. What is tough talking? I fail to understand what is tough talking. Yes, there was friendly talking. Yes, there were concerns on both sides, and we shared them, and why not? And why not? But our relationship is often misunderstood with what is reported in the media. (Laughter.)

SECRETARY CLINTON: (Laughter.) I have nothing to add to that.

QUESTION: Thank you. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: (Off-mike.)

FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: Sure.

SECRETARY CLINTON: I am very, very pleased by the progress that we have made in deepening and broadening our cooperation and our understanding. And as Minister Qureshi has said, we engage in very comprehensive discussions that go into great depth on a full range of issues. One thing that is not often reported enough is that the United States has no stronger partner than Pakistan in fighting the mutual threat we face from extremism. And the cooperation is very deep and very broad.

But as my friend said, that doesn’t mean we will agree on everything. I mean, friendship is a two-way street. We both have to work hard to maintain this friendship, and in fact, it is something we are committed to doing. As Minister Qureshi said, it’s a generational commitment. But we are two different countries. We have two different traditions. We have two different histories. That does not mean we’re going to agree on everything, but it means, as you do with friends, that you don’t jump to conclusions and you don’t presume before you have actually had a chance to explain.

And we laugh often, the minister and I, about the intensity of the free press environment in which both of us exist. I’m well familiar with the vigor of the Pakistani press and I have lots of experience with the vigor of the U.S. press. So we know, and sometimes it’s hard to explain, neither of us and neither of our governments controls our respective presses. So when something is printed in one of our countries, people jump to all kinds of conclusions, and I think that it’s wise to just take some time to think through the basis of this very important relationship and how committed we both are to moving forward, despite the challenges. So I certainly endorse Minister Qureshi’s comments.

With respect to your question, Andy, as a matter of policy, the Department of State does not comment on allegedly leaked documents. I would refer you to the Department of Defense for any further comment. But I do have a strong opinion that we should condemn in the most clear terms the disclosure of any classified information by individuals and organizations which puts the lives of United States and partner service members and civilians at risk, threatening our national security and the national security of those with whom we are working. So that’s where I think this matter stands.

MODERATOR: (Off-mike.)

SECRETARY CLINTON: Hi, how are you?

QUESTION: Well, before you ask, I must say that the triplets are fine. (Laughter.)

SECRETARY CLINTON: I was about to ask you how the triplets were. This man has triplets.

QUESTION: Every time I meet, you always ask that.

These talks indeed were very successful, but there are two issues that do not seem to have gotten enough attention. One is Pakistan’s quest for a civil nuclear deal, the same that you have with India, and the other is this roadmap for Afghanistan, particularly the talks between the Taliban and the Afghan (inaudible) representative. Is there a place for Pakistan on this roadmap? And were these two issues also discussed during these talks?

SECRETARY CLINTON: I can assure you that all issues have been discussed. And it’s not just what we talk about here in Washington for two days, but it’s what we continue to talk about between meetings, between our experts and our officials. And yes, there was a very long discussion about Afghanistan. Both the United States and Pakistan have very important national security interests with respect to Afghanistan. We are working together and we are consulting very closely on any roadmap forward.

FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: Can I just add, ma’am? See, what we need to understand is that this is a process and we have begun a process. You cannot expect results in two sittings or three sittings. But the interesting thing is I’ve often read that the U.S. has been planting seeds in Pakistani minds – I am trying to plant a few seeds in the U.S. mind – for them to look at things in a more innovative way, to try things in a different way. Things we’ve tried in the past, it hasn’t worked. That doesn’t mean we give up. We are persistent. And as they say, perseverance commands success, so I am not giving up.

MR. CROWLEY: Kim Ghattas from BBC.

QUESTION: Hi, a question for both first. I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit more about this security assistance package that Madam Secretary announced today. The United States already gives Pakistan a lot of military aid. How is this package going to make a difference? What sort of concrete actions do you think it will result in on the ground?

And Madam Secretary, can you confirm that the United States is planning to withhold military aid from Pakistani military units that are engaged in human rights abuses?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, let me take both of those, Kim. This morning, I announced the Administration’s multiyear security assistance commitment to Pakistan. That does include a commitment to request $2 billion in foreign military assistance from our Congress for the years 2012 through 2016. That money for military assistance complements the $7.5 billion commitment in civilian projects that has already been approved by the Kerry-Lugar-Berman legislation. Now, specifically this commitment includes 2 billion in foreign military financing and 29 million in international military education and training.

We also have made a strong commitment to continue the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund Assistance based upon the ground requirements and the year-to-year needs with FY 2012 funding of no less than in recent years. And this commitment underscores our long-term relationship. We know that Pakistan has suffered a lot because of its courageous battle against extremists. I think I heard the figure that in recent times, 30,000 Pakistanis have been killed by the Taliban extremists. Some of those are, of course, military, some of those are police, and many of those are just innocent civilians going about their daily lives.

Pakistan is such a close partner with us in the fight against terrorism and in the counterinsurgency efforts that we know are necessary, and we want to support Pakistan in its fight. And to do that, we want to provide the training and equipment that they have asked for.

Now, all U.S. security assistance must be provided in accordance with U.S. laws and regulations, including what are the called the Leahy vetting requirements. And we will continue to ensure that all assistance provided through the multiyear security assistance commitment that I’m announcing today will also comply with U.S. laws and regulations. We take all allegations of human rights abuses seriously and we discuss them with the Government of Pakistan and we follow the law and we work with our partners in Pakistan to deal with any issues that come to our attention.

FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: Ma’am, when – we saw this report on human rights, we’ve dealt with it, and we’ve dealt with it effectively. Investigation has been ordered by a very senior officer of the Pakistan army. And I can assure you that there’ll be zero tolerance against human rights violations. But we have to first foresee how authentic the report is. We have to verify and see what the truth is. And if there is action required, the Government of Pakistan will take action; that’s one. And we are aware of the Leahy amendment.

Two, the Secretary has just said that Pakistan today is the most important partner the United States has in counterterrorism. Now that partner has lost 7,000 lives in counterterrorism, and that partner has been saying that we have capacity needs. We have defense needs. And I’m so happy that this Administration has recognized the legitimate defense needs of Pakistan, discussed – and we’ve had six rounds of talks through the defense working groups and we’ve reached an understanding that equipment, training, is required. And I’m sure with this equipment and this training and this multiyear program, Pakistan will be able to deliver in a more effective manner. You have seen our delivery in Swat, in Malakand, in many agencies of the tribal belt. And we intend to do our job seriously.

QUESTION: (Inaudible), Madam Secretary (inaudible) television with —

SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes, we’ve met before. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: Good to see you, right. Secretary, a specific question to Strategic Dialogue. The predominant view of the Pakistani delegation has been that the projects being identified, the projects being discussed in the Strategic Dialogue, will have additional funding. But it looks like the view of the American side is that the funding will essentially be diverted from – not only for these projects, but also for the flood disaster, flood destruction – reconstruction. The funding will be directed from the Kerry-Lugar legislation. If that is true, the actual vision and the spirit of the Kerry-Lugar legislation will actually be totally changed. I wonder what is the view of your Administration on that, Madam.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I’m not sure that I agree with the question. Because of course, the projects that we had already announced from Kerry-Lugar-Berman were projects for the entire country. They were projects on electricity and water, agriculture, and the big projects. And many of those projects have been severely affected by the floods. So although the United States gave over $380 million dollars in direct flood assistance in order to assist the people of Pakistan to do what we said we would do, it’s both flood relief and it’s projects. But at the same time, it may be that something we prioritized last summer is no longer a priority because there’s a higher priority because of the needs of the people.

So we are in close consultation with the Government of Pakistan and this money is meant to help the people of Pakistan to really create a positive impact through civilian projects, and the list is going to be, I’m sure, affected by the floods. But the money is going for the same purposes.

QUESTION: Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: Mr. (inaudible), you see a friend of Pakistan here. But I can assure you there are many friends of Pakistan in the U.S. Congress, and let me name one – a senator called John Kerry. And I had a meeting with him when I was here earlier on in September and we discussed the flood situation impact it had Pakistan’s economy. And I think they’re cognizant of the fact that the 7.5 package was for a need and now there are compounded problems and we need to have a new look. We understand the difficulties. We understand, but this is a process. This is an ongoing process. It doesn’t begin with Kerry-Lugar-Berman. It will not end with Kerry-Lugar-Berman. Kerry-Lugar-Berman says five years, but it also says there could be another five years. And I say, it goes beyond another five years. I’m talking about a generational investment.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all.

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Remarks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi At the Third U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Ben Franklin Room

Washington, DC

October 22, 2010

 

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SECRETARY CLINTON: Good morning. Once again, let me welcome our friends from Pakistan and representatives from the United States Government to the Ben Franklin Room here on the 8^th floor of the State Department in Washington, D.C. It is an honor for me to open our third cabinet-level meeting this year of the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Pakistan.

I’m particularly delighted to have a number of U.S. cabinet officials joining us this morning, as well as so many ministers who have made the long trip from Pakistan. The number of agencies and ministries participating in this dialogue is a testament to our shared commitment to a deep, broad, and enduring relationship between our two countries. I would particularly like to thank my colleague, Foreign Minister Qureshi, for his stewardship of this expanding enterprise.

On a personal note, I want to recognize Ambassador Anne Patterson, who is with us and has done an extraordinary job representing the United States in Islamabad at a critical time in our history. And it will be my privilege, Anne, to present you with the Secretary’s award for Outstanding Service, and welcome home. (Applause.)

I would also like to introduce our distinguished new ambassador, Cameron Munter, who is here and will be departing on Islamabad on Sunday. Cameron comes to this post with a great deal of experience, and I know he’s looking forward to getting to know and working with all of the Pakistani officials.

In March, we came together in this Strategic Dialogue to discuss how to help the Pakistani people in the areas that Pakistani people themselves had identified as their most important concerns. We actually thought we would try something different in the history of our relationship, and that is listening to each other and learning from each other. And In July, we announced a series of signature projects in water and electricity. This week, we are going even further with new agreements to cooperate on projects ranging from building dams and water storage systems to expanding national radio coverage.

In the time since we last met, one event, however, has dominated all of our work together – the horrible floods of this summer, which covered more than one-fifth of the entire country and affected more than 20 million people. The American people were deeply saddened by the loss of life; the destruction of so many homes, farms, and businesses; and the long-term damage to Pakistan’s infrastructure and economy.

When I visited Pakistan the first time last year, I met people whose lives had been shattered by the violence in South Waziristan and the Swat Valley. Now many of those same areas have been flooded, and my heart goes out especially to those who have endured such terrible calamities.

I know that there are so many stories of individual challenges, but also so many of resilience. One woman that I had met lives in a village where all the roads and bridges have now been washed away. The people have moved into temporary housing, but the winter is coming. They need concrete homes. And after the snow falls, and the temporary roads are blocked, the village will be cut off and the cement trucks won’t be able to get in. Communities throughout Pakistan are having similar problems. So we are accelerating our efforts to help provide cash to people whose houses have been destroyed, so that they can quickly rebuild.

And this morning, I want to send a special message to the people of Pakistan: We have stood with you, and we will keep standing with you to help you not just cope with the aftermath of the floods, but to get back on the path to prosperity.

The United States was very proud working with the Pakistani Government and military to help with the rescue operations and to help pick up thousands and thousands of stranded Pakistanis and to deliver millions of pounds of refugee supplies, as well as $390 million in relief and recovery aid. But we know there is so much more work to be done. And we know that in some places, aid has yet to arrive and millions of people are still homeless. But we are working closely with the Government of Pakistan and our international partners, and we will continue to do all we can to help you.

And I believe that the need to look beyond the immediate to the future is a very important part of this help, because we have to begin to figure out how to help you rebuild the infrastructure and, once again, get commerce going, get the agricultural community replanted and building toward a better harvest.

Since our last Strategic Dialogue meeting in July in Islamabad, each of the 13 working groups has now finalized an action plan, a blueprint for cooperation between our two countries. We now have a plan to immunize against disease 90 percent of Pakistani children. We have a plan to improve the reliability of electricity supply to the Pakistani people. And yesterday, we began distributing wheat and vegetable seed as part of a broader plan to help half a million farming families get back on their feet.

These plans are already being put into action. For example, the working group on energy devised a plan to shore up the country’s existing energy infrastructure and develop new sources of power. Since we last met, we have ordered the equipment for four power plants. And we will soon complete a public-private partnership that will build a 150-megawatt wind farm in Sindh Province to tap the enormous potential of the winds that blow down the Pakistani coast. And as these projects come on line, we will look to the Pakistani Government to implement systematic reform of their energy sector.

Working groups have also been involved in collaborating on new scientific projects, in fact, 27 new projects, including research on deadly diseases like hepatitis and tuberculosis with joint funding from both governments. And tomorrow, six water experts from Pakistani provinces will visit New Orleans to study the flood relief and reconstruction after Hurricane Katrina. We hope that Pakistan can benefit from the painful lessons that we have learned, and the efforts we have made to rebuild a great city.

Finally, we are also cooperating on military matters. And I want to say publicly what many of us have said privately: The United States has no stronger partner when it comes to counterterrorism efforts against the extremists who threaten us both than Pakistan. We recognize and appreciate the sacrifice and service that the men and women, particularly the soldiers of the military in Pakistan, have made in order to restore order and go after those who threaten the very institutions of the state of Pakistan.

The military working group has had productive discussions this week about our work together to combat terrorism and eliminate violent extremism and the organizations that promote it that are operating in Pakistan. These groups threaten the security, first and foremost, of the people of Pakistan, of neighbors of the United States and indeed of the world.

In keeping with our enduring commitment to help Pakistan plan for its defense needs, I am pleased to announce our Multi-Year Security Assistance Commitment to Pakistan. We will request $2 billion in foreign military assistance from Congress for 2012 through 2016. This will complement the $7.5 billion in civilian projects that has already been approved in the Kerry-Lugar-Berman legislation. Later this morning, Secretary Gates will update you on other aspects of our bilateral military discussions.

So, this is a full and comprehensive agenda. And in this dialogue, we are very proud to be your partner. And we will continue to support you as you take the tough decisions necessary to create progress and prosperity for the people of Pakistan. Now, reforming Pakistan’s tax system is one area in which tough decisions will have to be made, because it will serve a broad, double purpose. A broader tax base will mean more funding for roads, bridges, power plants, and airports, all essential elements of a growing economy. And it will demonstrate to the international community that all segments of Pakistani society are willing to do their own part to rebuild their own country. So we are tackling some of the toughest problems. Nothing is being swept under the rug. And I have to say I am so impressed by the quality of our engagement from both the government and the people of Pakistan.

As we move ahead, let us be inspired by the people whose lives we have a chance to touch. The little boy we recently heard about who goes back every day to play in the pile of bricks that used to be his home – his parents will soon be able to rebuild. The farmer whose fields were flooded will soon have the seed and fertilizer to start again, the babies who will grow up healthy, the girls who will go on to get an education, and all of the people who will see that they can be part of a new future for Pakistan.

So I want now to invite my colleague and friend, Minister Qureshi, who has co-chaired this dialogue with me, to begin by making his own comments. Minister Qureshi.

FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI: Secretary Clinton, dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, Madam Secretary, for your gracious remarks. I’m delighted to be in Washington again. We’re grateful for the warm welcome and the gracious hospitality accorded to us since our arrival here. My delegation includes several colleagues from the civil and military institutions in Pakistan who are making an enormous contribution to this process, and I thank them for their efforts. I also express our appreciation for the rich contributions of so many senior members of the U.S. delegation who have been associated with this process from the outset.

Madam Secretary, it is the third time that we are meeting for the Strategic Dialogue within a year. This in itself is a significant achievement. But essentially, it is a reflection of the importance that both our nations attach to this vital relationship, so critical for peace and stability in the region and beyond. It is also a reflection of the broad range of areas in which we want and need to work together to broaden and deepen our multifaceted cooperation and to advance our shared goal of building a strategic partnership.

I must acknowledge, Madam Secretary, with appreciation and gratitude your personal support for this shared endeavor. Your personal reach-out to the people of Pakistan has left a deep imprint on the hearts and minds of our people. Abiding goodwill and friendship among our people is indeed a critical constant of the success of our common efforts.

Madam Secretary, we are meeting today in the backdrop of the devastating floods in Pakistan. This has been a natural calamity of unprecedented proportions. Few weeks and months, ravaging floodwaters ravaged our land and displaced tens of millions of our people. The floods did not just claim precious lives and cause damage to homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure. The floods stole the dreams of millions of Pakistanis and shattered their hopes for a better future. The floods also decelerated the growth of our national economy and set back our poverty alleviation efforts and reversed years of development gains.

Madam Secretary, the flood disaster tested the mettle of Pakistani nation once again, and our people have proved their resilience yet again. The whole Pakistani nation was mobilized with the government, the armed forces, civil society, media, and private citizens actively participating in the country-wide national effort for rescue and relief. But we could not have done what we have been able to do without the support and solidarity of our friends abroad.

Madam Secretary, we truly appreciate the international community’s helpful efforts which were spearheaded by the United States. I would remiss, Madam Secretary, if I did not acknowledge, on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan your personal leadership and contribution to the efforts to keep a global spotlight on this disaster and to mobilize international support and assistance. I take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude for your role.

I also express our sincere thanks to the American people whose compassion in Pakistan’s time of need has been deeply touching. We vividly remember the 2005 earthquake when American Chinooks were called the angels of mercy as they helped save thousands of lives. Such angels of mercy reappeared on the horizons to evacuate tens of thousands of people to safe locations and to deliver relief supplies to many more. This is a testament to the innate goodness of the American people and their commitment to humanitarian values.

Madam Secretary, the waters are now receding and we have initiated the early recovery phase, but the long and hard road to rehabilitation and reconstruction lies ahead. The challenges are immense. We must help the millions of affected people to rebuild their homes, businesses, and communities. Above all, we must help them renew their hopes and restart their lives. It will be tough, we know, but we also know that we will not be alone in this undertaking.

Madam Secretary, Pakistan and the United States have been allies and friends before. We have a history of cooperation in meeting some of the great challenges of the post Second World War period. However, the kind of engagement we have had for the last few years has never been witnessed before. This is the first time that the relationship is founded on shared ideals of democracy, mutual respect, and trust.

This is also the first time that on the Pakistani side the relationship is driven by a democratically elected government, and this is the first time that the two sides are making a deliberate effort to place the citizens of Pakistan as the main beneficiaries of this relationship.

I know that a relationship built on such foundations is bound to endure. Madam Secretary, just look at the range of issues on which we are working in the Strategic Dialogue: 13 areas in all, each is a world in itself. We have working groups on each of these areas. They have had at least two extensive sessions on identifying priorities and areas of cooperation. Working documents have been exchanged. I believe that this session of the Strategic Dialogue marks the consolidation of our partnership. This is an earnest exercise to create a better understanding of each other’s perspectives.

This is necessary to bring about the policy alignments and take pragmatic steps for a quiet cooperation and coordination at the operational level. We have to move toward timeliness and benchmarks to measure progress and lend a result-oriented approach to the entire process. Ten of the 13 working groups met in the last two days. The reports I have received of their deliberations are encouraging. Tangibles should be coming out of these deliberations soon.

There is much to celebrate in the Pakistan-U.S. friendship. It bodes well for both countries. But let us not forget that we are once again engaged as partners in a momentous challenge, a momentous struggle. I would call it the defining struggle of our times. I am, of course, referring to our joint fight against terrorism. We are fighting an enemy that offers no quarter, obeys no law, and holds nothing sacred. We have both lost valuable lives. In case of Pakistan, nearly 30,000 civilians have lost their lives, and the ordinary Pakistani citizens brave a daily fare of suicide bombings as they go about their lives. Nearly 7,000 of our valiant law enforcement officials have perished in this fight, more than the combined loss of lives of NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Nonetheless, it unfortunately seems easy to dismiss Pakistan’s contributions and sacrifices. There are still tongue-in-cheek comments even in this capital about Pakistan’s heart not really being in this fight. We do not know what greater evidence to offer than the blood of our people. Madam Secretary, we are determined to win this fight.

The Pakistan our adversary wants will not be a Pakistan that the vast majority of citizens want to live in. We have no doubts about who are enemy is and what we must do to defeat it. I wish to show you that Pakistan will not allow any space to terrorists on its territory. Violence against innocent people is unacceptable. It cannot be justified on any ground. As such, there can be no distinction between good and bad terrorists. Pakistan and the United States share the goal of defeating terrorism. This requires close contacts and constant coordination at the policy and at the operational levels. Policy alignment and better communication and coordination are key to our mutual success in the fight against terror.

Pakistan and the U.S. need to cooperate more closely in bringing stability and peace in Afghanistan. We also hope that our consultation and cooperation on issues of regional peace, security, and stability will continue to make a salutary impact on the overall environment.

Madam Secretary, might I also avail myself of this opportunity to underscore the importance that we attach to your support for Pakistan economic recovery and sustained development. The elected government continues to pursue a macroeconomic stabilization program that has been chalked out in consultation with international financial institutions. We are in the process of reordering our economic priorities to meet the flood contingency. National resources are being mobilized for the massive reconstruction effort. We are also mindful of the need for a cost-effective program delivery. Accountability, transparency, and efficient utilization of resources are very much an important part of our government’s agenda, and we have developed effective mechanisms for these goals.

When we launched our dialogue earlier this year, we were cognizant of the challenges and the opportunities that lay before us. Among other things, we recognized that there would be skepticism, smear and even setbacks. We knew that as friends and allies, we would have, at times, differences of opinion, indeed honest disagreements, but we also knew that we have the requisite political will and robust engagement to help us resolve such momentary challenges. Today, more then ever before, we remain convinced that a comprehensive, long-term, and enduring partnership is in the strategic interest of both our countries. We remain clear that such a partnership rests on the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual benefit. We have stated it before and I reiterated again Pakistan’s sovereignty is and will remain non-negotiable. I have no doubt, Madam Secretary, that we can surmount any momentary challenge with clarity and sensitivity about our respective commitments, concerns and core interests.

Some recent developments have prompted certain quarters to speculate on the strength and resilience of our tested relationship. Prophets of doom are back in business painting doomsday scenarios about our alliance. They are dead wrong. I also have no doubt that we will yet again prove the naysayers are wrong with the strength of our resolve, the depth of our engagement, and the endurance of our alliance.

Madam Secretary, Pakistan and the United States have a shared interest in a peaceful and stable South Asia. Unfortunately, the prospect is threatened again by the recent events in Kashmir. People of conscience have protested the use of force against the defenseless people of Kashmir, in particular targeting of the Kashmiri youth, which has claimed over hundred lives in the past three months. But the Kashmiri mothers are baffled at the deafening silence of the world leadership.

History has proved that the force of arms cannot suppress the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people. It is in the U.S. strategic interest to work for peace, stability, and resolution of the disputes in South Asia. The starting point in this quest is justice for the Kashmiri people. President Obama has always understood the importance of a Kashmir solution. His coming visit to the region is the time to begin to redeem the pledge that he made earlier.

Madam Secretary, I wish to underline that this dialogue and the Pakistan-U.S. partnership have profound consequences for our two nations and for international peace and security. A heavy responsibility therefore devolves on us to nurture it carefully. I reaffirm our determination that Pakistan will do its upmost to contribute to this worthy cause and to make our partnership a critical factor of peace, stability, and prosperity at the regional and international level.

Madam Secretary, as I conclude, I want to express our appreciation and gratitude to your team for their painstaking efforts to make this round of meetings a success. They’ve drawn up a most impressive program designed to extract the most benefit out of the process.

I look forward to welcoming you in Islamabad for the next round and hope we will show the same professionalism that your side put on display here.

I thank you, Madam.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, there is no worry about that, Minister Qureshi, having been in Islamabad for the last meeting and received the excellent work that your team has been doing.

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Public Schedule for October 22, 2010

Washington, DC

October 22, 2010

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SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

8:15 a.m. Secretary Clinton and Pakistani Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi participate in the U.S.-Pakistan Dialogue Plenary Session, at the Department of State.

(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE FOR OPENING REMARKS ONLY)

1:30 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with the senior development team, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

2:30 p.m. Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi, at the Department of State.

(JOINT PRESS AVAILABILITY FOLLOWING BILATERAL MEETING AT APPROXIMATELY 3:05PM)

3:45 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with members of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

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I know it is less than you were hoping for, but something is better than nothing. Here are a few pictures of Mme. Secretary this morning with M. Foreign Minister Qureshi at the U.S. – Pakistan Strategic Dialogue Plenary Session.

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Public Schedule for October 21, 2010

Washington, DC

October 21, 2010

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SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

9:15 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with the Assistant Secretaries of the Regional Bureaus, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

5:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton participates in the U.S.-Pakistan Dialogue Small Groups discussion and dinner, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

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Well, there is no news from today as yet except for this picture from the National Security Team meeting this morning in which Mme. Secretary codes purple for the day.

I am sure there will be photos and a video from tonight’s event sooner or later, and I will post as soon as possible.  Meanwhile, we do have a glimpse into her activities tomorrow, and I am sure that readers here will receive this news with glee!

The United States and Pakistan Strategic Dialogue Meeting Oct 20-22, 2010

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

October 20, 2010

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On October 20-22, the United States and Pakistan will meet in Washington for the third ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue this year. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Foreign Minister Mahmoud Qureshi will co-chair the talks, which represent the commitment of the U.S. and Pakistan to strengthening the bilateral relationship as a broad partnership based on shared democratic values, mutual respect, trust, and interests. It is focused on supporting the Pakistani people and Pakistani democratic institutions.

Nearly all of the Dialogue’s thirteen sectoral Working Groups have set achievable benchmarks and made appreciable progress. This third round of the Strategic Dialogue will provide an opportunity for nine of the working groups to review progress to date in such critical sectors as communications and public diplomacy, water, energy, health, law enforcement and counter-terrorism, economic development, and women’s empowerment, as well as to discuss flood recovery and reconstruction plans.

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