Zardari: Pak, U.S. have 'mutual interests'

BEIJING, June 9 (UPI) -- Pakistani President Ali Asif Zardari told a Chinese newspaper he expects his country and the United States to return to "normal relations."

Talking to China Daily Friday, Zardari conceded the relationship is currently under strain. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday in Afghanistan that his government is running out of patience with Pakistan's safe havens for militants and on Wednesday told Indian officials U.S. drone strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan would continue.

Zardari, in Beijing as an observer at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting, said Pakistan is a victim of terrorism, not a country that helps terrorists. He said 40,000 Pakistanis have been victims of terrorism.

"I think the U.S. is an important country in the world and so is Pakistan. We have mutual interests," Zardari told China Daily.

"Slowly but surely, we will get back to normal relations."