US rules out mediating on Kashmir between India, Pak

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Mar 24 (PTI) Ahead of the key strategic
dialogue with Pakistan, the Obama administration Wednesday
shot down Islamabad's plea to help it resume peace talks with
India and mediate on key disputes with New Delhi on issues
including Kashmir.
It is for India and Pakistan to resolve all their
disputes bilaterally and the Obama Administration does not
sees a role for itself in it unless both the countries want
it, Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan
Richard Holbrooke told journalists at a joint press conference
with the Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir here.
Responding to questions from the Pakistani media on
this issue, Holbrooke, however, said that the US encourages
both India and Pakistan to talk to each other on all the
issues.
He said talking on Kashmir is not in his mandate.
Holbrooke said the first ever Cabinet level Strategic
Dialogue between the two countries would be an important
milestone in building relationship US-Pak between.
At another reception at the Pakistani Embassy on the
occasion of Pakistan National Day, visiting Foreign Minister
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he is here to build a
partnership with the US based on mutual trust, confidence and
shared objectives.
"We have made progress in Pakistan and the world is
acknowledging our sacrifices. We are ready to deliver, we are
ready to move, let's build a partnership which is lasting,"
Qureshi said.
The reception was attended by top officials of the
Obama Administration including National Security Adviser
General (rtd) James Jones, lawmakers and US ambassador in
Islamabad Anne Paterson.
Pakistan Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Chief of the
Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Finance Adviser Abdul
Hafeez Shaikh also attended the reception.
Earlier, Assistant Secretary of State for Public
Affairs P J Crowley said the Obama Administration has spent a
lot of time trying to convince all countries in the region
that ultimately improved relations with the United States and
with others in the region is in everyone's interest.
"We continue to make that clear. Assistant Secretary
(Robert) Blake has been in the region and I think is trying to
help various countries understand the context within which
these expanded dialogues with all of the countries continue
and are in everyone's interest," Crowley said. PTI