After Nawaz, US envoy calls on Zardari

Sunday, May 04, 2008 By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: In a departure from past practice, US Ambassador Anne W Patterson on Saturday called on Co-chairman Pakistan People's Party Asif Ali Zardari at his residence, Zardari House. Previously, Asif Ali Zardari used to hold meetings with US diplomats either at the US Embassy or at the residences of US diplomats. The meeting was important in the backdrop of the US ambassador's meeting with Mian Nawaz Sharif at his residence in Lahore on Friday. The meeting with Zardari clearly indicates that the Americans are taking keen interest in the Dubai talks that ended recently with another deadline for the restoration of the deposed judges. However, no one either from the Zardari camp or the Nawaz Sharif camp was ready to come on record on the talks held with the US ambassador. However, it is understood that during the meetings, the Americans were interested in exchanging views with the political leadership of Pakistan, seeking an update on political developments taking place as well as the coalition government's policies. Sources privy to the meetings told The News that during the meetings, the Americans also showed interest in on-off peace talks with the "extremists" in the tribal areas. Political analysts are of the view it is important that the civilian leaders be made aware of the full range of Pakistan-US cooperation, which in the past has often been mired in secrecy. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Japan Masahiko Koumura, accompanied by a 10-member delegation, also called on the PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. Zardari was assisted by Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, former MNA Nayyar Bokhari and Brig (retd) Aman at the talks. The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest.