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Pakistan 'battling for survival' Pakistan calls for trust with US
(40 minutes later)
Pakistan is "battling for its own survival", its president, Asif Ali Zardari, has told visiting US special envoy for Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke. Pakistan's leaders have told visiting US envoy Richard Holbrooke there must be trust between the nations as "nothing else will work".
Mr Holbrooke has been holding talks with Pakistani leaders focusing on the new US regional strategy. Pakistan's foreign minister also said there was a "gap" in opinion over US drone attacks on Pakistani territory.
Mr Holbrooke has met President Asif Ali Zardari, who told him that Pakistan was "battling for its own survival".
Mr Zardari said Pakistan needed "unconditional support" to fight terrorism and extremism.Mr Zardari said Pakistan needed "unconditional support" to fight terrorism and extremism.
Pakistan said there was a need for trust with the US and that a "gap" of opinion existed on the use of drones.
Mr Holbrooke, the joint US envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Islamabad after talks with Afghan leaders in Kabul.Mr Holbrooke, the joint US envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Islamabad after talks with Afghan leaders in Kabul.
US President Barack Obama recently unveiled his new strategy, which combines Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of a new regional push to defeat the militants affecting both nations.US President Barack Obama recently unveiled his new strategy, which combines Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of a new regional push to defeat the militants affecting both nations.
The strategy is at the forefront of Mr Obama's foreign policy agenda.The strategy is at the forefront of Mr Obama's foreign policy agenda.
Drone attacksDrone attacks
Mr Obama has pledged substantial economic assistance for Pakistan - more than $1bn annually over the next five years - but the money will depend on the army's performance against the Taleban and al-Qaeda. At a joint press conference with the envoys on Tuesday Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said: "The bottom line is a question of trust. We are partners and we want to be partners.
"We can only work together if we respect each other. There is no other way. Nothing else will work."
There was a little bit of hope when Mr Obama became the president, and the expectation was that there would be a little bit of shift in policy. But I don't think that has happened Aftab Ahmad Sherpao,Pakistan ex-foreign ministerThere was a little bit of hope when Mr Obama became the president, and the expectation was that there would be a little bit of shift in policy. But I don't think that has happened Aftab Ahmad Sherpao,Pakistan ex-foreign minister
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says President Zardari has now told the two US envoys that this is not good enough. Mr Holbrooke agreed it was important to work towards a "surplus of trust".
His statement after the meeting read: "Pakistan... needs unconditional support by the international community in the fields of education, health, training and provision of equipment for fighting terrorism. Mr Qureshi said the issue of the increasing US drone attacks on Pakistani territory had also been discussed.
"Pakistan is fighting a battle of its own survival," his office quoted him as telling Mr Holbrooke. "Let me be very frank - there is a gap. There is a gap between us and them, and I want to bridge that gap, and we'll continue to talk about it."
It also added: "The president said the government would not succumb to any pressure by militants." Pakistan has regularly called the attacks a violation of sovereignty.
Our correspondent says his statement revealed the frustration and resentment about the aid conditions - which reflect American distrust of the Pakistani army. Adm Mullen did not respond directly when asked why the US would not simply hand over the drones to Pakistan but said the US was eager to share counter-insurgency techniques.
Mr Obama has pledged substantial economic assistance for Pakistan - more than $1bn annually over the next five years - but the money will depend on the army's performance against the Taleban and al-Qaeda.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says there is frustration and resentment in Pakistan about the aid conditions - which reflect American distrust of the Pakistani army.
The conditions strengthen Pakistani perceptions of its army as a mercenary force doing American bidding, she adds.The conditions strengthen Pakistani perceptions of its army as a mercenary force doing American bidding, she adds.
Mr Holbrooke's visit drew angry protests from activists in LahoreMr Holbrooke's visit drew angry protests from activists in Lahore
In a press conference on Tuesday, both nations spoke of the need for "trust". Mr Qureshi struck a defiant note on the issue in the press conference.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said: "We can only work together if we respect each other and trust each other." "That is the message that was also put across. They've said, and I respect, no blank cheques. Yes, it works both ways - we'll neither accept one nor will we give one."
Washington has been particularly concerned at the escalating Taleban insurgency on Pakistani territory and wants to eliminate "safe havens" along the Afghan border. In a presidential statement released after the Holbrooke-Zardari meeting, the president was quoted as saying: "Pakistan... needs unconditional support by the international community in the fields of education, health, training and provision of equipment for fighting terrorism.
Increasing US drone attacks on militants in Pakistan were also high on the agenda - Islamabad has always opposed them as a violation of sovereignty. "Pakistan is fighting a battle of its own survival."
Mr Qureshi admitted there were differences on the issue.
"We did talk about drones, and let me be very frank - there is a gap. There is a gap between us and them, and I want to bridge that gap."
Adm Mullen did not respond directly when asked why the US would not simply hand over the drones to Pakistan but said the US was eager to share counter-insurgency techniques.
In recent weeks the militants have shown themselves capable of carrying out major assaults in the heart of Pakistan - with dozens of people dying last week in a number of suicide bomb attacks.In recent weeks the militants have shown themselves capable of carrying out major assaults in the heart of Pakistan - with dozens of people dying last week in a number of suicide bomb attacks.
Pakistan's former Foreign Minister, Aftab Ahmad Sherpao, told the BBC that ordinary Pakistanis had not been convinced by Mr Obama's efforts to win over the Muslim world.Pakistan's former Foreign Minister, Aftab Ahmad Sherpao, told the BBC that ordinary Pakistanis had not been convinced by Mr Obama's efforts to win over the Muslim world.
"There was a little bit of hope when Mr Obama became the president, and the expectation was that there would be a little bit of shift in policy. But I don't think that has happened," he said."There was a little bit of hope when Mr Obama became the president, and the expectation was that there would be a little bit of shift in policy. But I don't think that has happened," he said.
"The drone attacks continue, and they feel that there is little for Pakistan. Yes, they have said that they will be giving aid, but at what cost?""The drone attacks continue, and they feel that there is little for Pakistan. Yes, they have said that they will be giving aid, but at what cost?"
Mr Holbrooke and Mike Mullen are expected to go on to India for discussions of regional security issues.Mr Holbrooke and Mike Mullen are expected to go on to India for discussions of regional security issues.