The Hindu : International : Pakistan silent on U.S. displeasure over pipeline

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005

International

International

Pakistan silent on U.S. displeasure over pipeline

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Islamabad looking at other options

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday declined to comment on reports from Washington that the U.S. threatened to impose sanctions on it if it went ahead with the Iran gas pipeline project.

Foreign Office spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani merely said here that Islamabad was aware of Washington's "concerns."

"Pakistan is looking at various options including the Iran pipeline to take care of its energy requirements and would take appropriate decisions in the best national interests."

During the recent visit of Union Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, India and Pakistan agreed to constitute a Joint Working Group (JWG) to look into the financial, technical and all other aspects of the Iran gas pipeline.

Mr. Jilani said that at the invitation of Pakistan, the Iranian Petroleum Minister would be in Islamabad on a two-day visit beginning on June 20 to hold discussions on the pipeline project.

He said a delegation led by Pakistan Petroleum Secretary was leaving for Qatar to continue discussions on a pipeline carrying gas from there.

According to local media reports, Washington has reiterated its concerns about the Iran gas pipeline during the ongoing visit of the Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri.

He said Pakistan was still in the process of taking a decision and would talk to the U.S. when a decision was made.

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