US-INDIA 2 LST

The US is very supportive of any steps that the Indians
and Pakistani government choose to take to deal with the
issues directly between them and to reduce tensions and build
confidence, Flournoy said.
"But in Afghanistan, I would sort of separate the
two countries. India has played a very important role in
economic and social development in Afghanistan in multiple
sectors and we would like to see them continue to play that
role," she said.
"I think, with regard to India and Pakistan, there is an
inherited distrust between the two countries and we are very
supportive of whatever steps they take in being transparent
with one another and take some confidence-building measures,"
Flournoy said. "Because the truth is that they all have a
stake in the stability of the region."
She said the US has strategic partnerships with all three
countries -- India, Pakistan and Afghanistan -- and one of the
things it continues to try to press is its belief that common
stake in regional security can actually bring them to a place
of cooperation that they have not experienced before, but it
is not going to be easy to get there.
Flournoy said the US has no plan to abandon Afghanistan
after July 2011, when the drawdown of its troops would begin.
She said the US has enduring commitment to the region.
"We have learned our lessons from history. We have no
plans to depart the region and to abandon Afghanistan anytime
soon," she said.
"Everything has to be seen in the context of a long-term
commitment to both the security and development of
Afghanistan. That said, he (Obama) also identified July 2011,
as an inflection point in our strategy, when the surge of
forces would end, and a process of transition would begin,
based on the conditions on the ground," Flournoy said. PTI LKJ
MRD


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next