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A positive move, says Pakistan

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has welcomed the statement by the United States Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on Iran as a positive development that could help to de-escalate the crisis over Teheran's nuclear programme.

"The statement by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice indicating willingness of the U.S. to talk to Iran along with E.U.-3 is a positive development that we hope would lead to reduction of tensions and negotiations for a diplomatic solution of the Iranian issue," the Foreign Office said in a brief statement.

Closer economic ties

Pakistan last week expressed concern to visiting delegations from Iran, including one headed by Vice-President Pervez Davoudi, and another by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki that the standoff between the U.S. and Iran over the nuclear issue could have an impact on the whole region.

The two countries are planning closer economic ties. Pakistan has several times reiterated that it is committed to the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

Following a recent meeting here on the project, Pakistan said it would pursue the project even if India, for some reason, could not participate in it.

The Foreign Office said on Thursday that it was always in favour of a diplomatic solution to the crisis and "opposed resort to the use of force."

"We have emphasised that all parties must abide by their international obligations and no effort should be spared to find a negotiated solution.

"While we are firmly against nuclear proliferation, we support Iran's right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes under IAEA safe-guards," it said.

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