Pakistan PM: US Ties Can Only Continue With Mutual Respect

Islamabad, Nov 29, IRNA - Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said Pakistan would reassess its arrangements with NATO and ISAF and that its relationship with the United States can only continue with mutual respect and mutual interest. In an interview with CNN, he said, 'If I can't protect the sovereignty of my country, how we can say it is mutual respect and mutual interest.' To a question, Gilani said at the moment Pakistan was not getting respect from the United States. He said Pakistan was re-evaluating its relationship with the United States. He said in accordance with the wishes of the masses, Pakistan's relations with the United States should be based on trust, equality and mutual benefit. 'We have no other option except to accept will of the people.' Pakistan wanted to maintain its relationship with the United States as long as there was mutual respect and respect for Pakistani sovereignty, he added. Gilani highlighted incidents such as the killing of the Pakistani troops and the US raid into Pakistan to kill Osama bin Laden as violations of his country's sovereignty. Previously, he said, there was the issue of Raymond Davis and the issue of Osama Bin Laden, then there were accusations including accusation of killing of Afghanistan's Burhanuddin Rabbani. 'These are some of the blame games. There is no political space left for the political leadership of Pakistan and the military leadership, then how we can cooperate in this difficult situation.' The PM made it clear that relations with NATO and ISAF have reached saturation point and now business will be no more usual. 'Business as usual will not be there. We have to have something bigger that satisfies my nation and entire country. We have to review our ties with NATO and Allied forces. This is a saturation point. We are reviewing the situation and our relationship for future with the US, NATO and ISAF.' He said Pakistan had already said that it was ready to support any initiative on Afghanistan, which is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. But this support will not be at the cost of sovereignty of Pakistan as anything which harms sovereignty and stability of Pakistan will not be acceptable, he added. The premier also said Pakistan had not yet decided whether to boycott next month's Bonn conference on the future of Afghanistan or not./end