WASHINGTON, March 26 (UPI) -- The United States and Pakistan, ending their high-level talks in Washington, agreed to "redouble their efforts to deal effectively with terrorism."
A joint statement issued Thursday at the end of two days of U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue said the two sides -- led by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi -- also noted the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.
"Both governments committed to redouble their efforts to deal effectively with terrorism and to protect the common ideals and shared values of democracy, tolerance, openness and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights," the statement said.
The New York Times quoted U.S. administration officials as saying Washington may speed up the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, which has conducted a military campaign against Taliban insurgents and other militants in its tribal regions since October. Other military hardware would include naval frigates, helicopter gunships and remotely piloted aircraft for surveillance missions.
The joint statement made no mention of any civilian nuclear agreement similar to the one the United States has with Pakistan's arch rival India. Media reports had indicated Pakistan would press for such a deal.
A senior administration official told the Times such a deal with Pakistan would not be concluded in the near future in light of Pakistan's sale of nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea.
Clinton did not directly answer a question on the civilian nuclear cooperation, saying only: "We're committed to helping Pakistan meet its real energy needs," the Times reported.
Pakistan's Dawn newspaper said Qureshi also did not respond to the question.
The United States agreed to provide $51 million to upgrade three thermal power plants in Pakistan, CNN reported.
The joint statement said both sides decided to "continually provide strategic guidance for strengthening U.S.-Pakistan partnership in the 21st Century for realizing the aspirations of their people."
