US wants Pak coalition to resolve differences

The meeting came a day after the PML-N said it was not taken into confidence about the crackdown launched on militants in the northwestern Khyber Agency since Saturday.

Boucher, who is visiting Pakistan for the second time since April, has already conveyed the concerns of the US administration over the deteriorating security situation in the tribal belt to the country8217;s top political and military leadership during meetings in Islamabad on Monday.

He also said the government is not concentrating on the problem of militancy because of the impasse over the restoration of deposed judges and a 8216;cold war among coalition partners8217;, the Dawn newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Boucher reiterated the concerns of the US over the deteriorating law and order situation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the strains within the coalition during his meeting with Sharif and his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, sources said.

The US official asked Sharif to narrow his differences with the ruling Pakistan People8217;s Party as this could affect the overall security situation, the sources said.

PML-N leaders told reporters that Sharif told Boucher that the PML-N was not taken into confidence about the operation against militants.

Sharif also said the use of force should be the last resort for the government and that such issues should be settled through negotiations.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, senior PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan indicated that there were differences between his party and the US administration over the future of President Pervez Musharraf.

8220;We have a clear view that General Musharraf is the biggest obstacle in the path to a bright future for Pakistan. He is a major hindrance to efforts to usher in true democracy and the biggest obstacle to the restoration of an independent judiciary,8221; Khan said.

8220;We believe that as long as this impediment is not removed, Pakistan8217;s democratic, political and judicial issues cannot move forward. The US stance on this is not close to our stand,8221; he added.

8220;But at the same time, they the US said they want friendship with the people of Pakistan and not with any one individual and that they want to work with new democratic government and parliament. They want to usher in a new era in the relations.8221;

Khan reiterated that the PML-N was not taken into confidence about the peace deals signed by the government and militants or the launching of operations against the rebels last week.

The PML-N also made it clear to Boucher that 8220;Pakistan8217;s internal issues should be decided by Pakistan and its political establishment8221;, Khan said. 8220;In such matters, there should not be any interference by our foreign friends and external powers that cannot facilitate things,8221; he said.

Boucher yesterday conveyed the concerns of the US administration to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Prime Minister8217;s Adviser on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik.

He said the coalition partners should be on the 8220;same wavelength on critical matters like that of the deposed judges8221;.

He was of the view that the coalition partners should bury their differences and resolve all matters, including the judges8217; issue, so that the government could concentrate on controlling the situation in the tribal areas.

Gilani assured Boucher that the Pakistan government would 8216;never negotiate8217; with militants or allow foreigners to use its soil against another country while following a policy of political dialogue and economic development to counter terrorism.

The government has initiated a political dialogue only with elements that have laid down arms and joined mainstream political activity, Gilani said.