US averse to talks with irreconcilable elements
Bureau Report

KARACHI—The US Deputy Secretary of State, John Negro Ponte said that peace talks could not be held with “ irreconcilable” elements in the northern tribal belt, however there were some “reconcilable” elements, which could be persuaded in this regard.
“ There are irreconcilable, and reconcilable elements there (tribal belt). Talks cannot be held with the irreconcilable elements; however, the reconcilable elements can be persuaded. There is not a single approach to deal with the issue of violent extremism in the tribal belt or elsewhere. It needs a multi-faceted approach to deal with”, Mr. Ponte said while avoiding replying directly to a question at a press conference at a local hotel, on Thursday
Mr. Ponte appeared to be between the hard and rock place to reply to a series of questions regarding US policy vis-à-vis proposed peace talks with the militants. When asked about the US reaction if the Pakistani parliament decided to hold peace talks with the militants, he again dodged the question saying” It doesn’t seem to me surprising or alarming if the issue is discussed in the parliament, which is a democratic way”.
He said there was a lot of common ground between the two governments to fight the terrorism. “ We didn’t discuss the tactics with the Pakistani authorities to be adopted to deal with the violent extremism. One clear message, I have received from the Prime Minister Gilani, and others is that they attach importance to deal with the menace of extremism”, he said.
The US deputy secretary of state dispelled the impression that his visit aimed to influence the new government vis-à-vis various issues, especially the proposed peace talks in the tribal belt. “ As far as criticism on the timing of my visit is concerned, I want to make it clear that it is not an emergency visit. It was planned six months ago, and we were preparing for that since then. We have no secret agenda and no desire to intervene in the ongoing political process and arrangements”, he maintained.
He rejected a report published in Washington Post stating that the US troops have accelerated their actions against militants in northern tribal belt before the new government initiates peace talks with them. “ The Washington Post has cited anonymous sources saying this. I don’t know whom should I ask about that back in Washington. We want to deal with the militancy mutually and in an agreeable way. We are not taking any unilateral actions there. It should be and will be on partnership basis. If it is not on a sustainable partnership basis, that would be a problem”, he added. Mr. Ponte rebutted the speculations that his visit aimed to secure the embattling President Pervez Musharraf, and coaxed the coalition partners to work with him. “ He (Musharraf) is of course the president of Pakistan, and we have met him in that capacity. However, any debate with regard to his status is Pakistan’s internal matter, and will have to be decided through Pakistan’s internal political process. We will respect the decision of the people of Pakistan”, he added. To another question regarding US interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs, he said that his country did not want Pakistan to act at the behest of United States against its national interest. “ We expect from Pakistan to take decisions in the mutual benefit of the two countries. We will respect any decision of the Pakistani authorities”, he contended. To yet another query, Mr. Ponte denied the reports that he had been advised by Pakistanis foreign office to reschedule his visit.
He said the US was committed to working with all the Pakistani leaders to fight terrorism, to improve the country’s economy and reduce poverty, and informed that his country was providing a grant of 150 million dollars annually for development of social sector in the tribal areas