WSJ: Kerry Says India-Pakistan Talks Must Go On

[MH1]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704431404575067054003285696.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

NEW DELHI—The weekend bomb blast in Pune shouldn't derail the resumption of diplomatic talks between India and Pakistan but should be the first item on the agenda if India finds a Pakistani link to the fatal attack, said U.S. Sen. John Kerry.

In an interview here, Sen. Kerry, chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the "greatest mistake" in responding to another terror strike that emanated from Pakistan would be for the two sides to give those responsible what they seek to achieve: the subversion of democracy and the rule of law.

"The right thing is to talk; you lose nothing by talking," Sen. Kerry (D., Mass.) said while on a visit to the Indian capital en route to Islamabad. If India finds a Pakistani link to the Pune attack, "I hope India will have that conversation with Pakistan and, if they have evidence to that effect, that should be the first thing on the table and Pakistan has to deal with it," he added.

Saturday evening's bomb blast in a German bakery in the western Indian city of Pune, which killed nine and injured 38, served as a pointed reminder of the imminent danger of terrorism in India despite the government's efforts since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks to beef up national security and to persuade Pakistan to clamp down on terrorist organizations that operate from its soil.
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gotta go back to work now so can't comment, just thought you all would be interested in this article. :)

[blm]

1. Absolutely.....and....thank you.....

.

[wisteria]

2. Yes, thank you. n/t

[YvonneCa]

3. Thank you for posting this. n/t

[karynnj]

4. Coverage from Pakistan

President Zardari thanked Senator Kerry for US support in strengthening democratic in Pakistan.

He said that US must cooperate Pakistan in starting the economic zones in FATA.

He said that the government would invest the US aid given to Pakistan on the basis of the Kerry Lugar Bill for the betterment of the people of the country and the government would monitor the development projects.

He said that Pakistan admires the efforts of US and other coalition partners in supporting Pakistan in war against terrorism. And the efforts of the coalition for the world peace.

Senator Kerry said that US will continue supporting democratic setup in Pakistan. US will continue supprting Pakistan for the supremacy of law and in war against terrorism.

He said that US and Pakistan will contiue its work for world peace.

http://www.samaa.tv/News17089-US_Senator_Kerry_meets_Pak_leadership.aspx

(Another less detailed link -http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96495&Itemid=2 )

Here is another, where I am not sure what to make of it. It sounds like the money that was appropriated and was called for in Kerry/Lugar has not yet been give. I wonder who is holding it up - as it completely passed every step in the Congress. The other issues - screening is likely not to change and releasing Aafia Siddiqui is completely unlikely - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aafia_Siddiqui

Talking to the Chairman of the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry and his congressional delegation, the Prime Minister regretted that even the pledges made by the allies at the Donors Conference in Tokyo last year were yet to be fulfilled.
<snip>
Prime Minister Gilani urged the United States to take the lead in fast tracking the reimbursement of the long-delayed Coalition Support Fund and expedite the release of assistance already appropriated under the Kerry-Lugar Bill.

On the issue of the United State’s image amongst Pakistani people, the Prime Minister counselled that the US should remove irritants like special screening measures against Pakistani nationals at its airports, repatriate Aafia Siddiqui on humanitarian grounds and ensure America’s undertaking of projects in Pakistan’s energy, education, health and infrastructure sectors as proof of its sincerity in a long-term strategic partnership with the country.

Senator John Kerry said the United States has great understanding of the difficulties Pakistan has been facing and appreciates the human and economic sacrifices made by the country in the process.
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/04-gilani-meets-kerry-qs-06

Looking through anything I could find, the hostility in Pakistan that was there when Kerry (and then Hillary) went last year, seems to not be in the media now. I did see one Indian paper that was unhappy with Kerry "lecturing" Indians on not letting the talks be derailed by the terrorism - but it was mild. Most coverage seems like the stuff above - very matter of fact.