‘US to help in ‘every possible way’ to settle Kashmir’

The statement came after a meeting between Jones,who arrived here on Wednesday following a brief visit to Afghanistan,and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

During the meeting,Gilani called on “the world at large and the US in particular to play their role towards resolution of the core issue of Kashmir as well as the water issue between Pakistan and India.”

He explained to Jones that US assistance in settling outstanding issues with India “would help Pakistan focus on fighting against extremism and terrorism on its western border to ensure peace and stability of the South Asian region.”

Last week,President Barack Obama had firmly ruled out any US mediation on the Kashmir issue,saying that dialogue between India and Pakistan is the best way to reduce tensions between them.

Describing both India and Pakistan as “great friends” of the US,Obama had said Washington wanted to be “helpful” in reducing the Indo-Pak tensions but cannot dictate to them how they should resolve their differences.

Jones,who is touring the region to assess the security situation,yesterday met Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. He also called on President Asif Ali Zardari today.

Jones is scheduled to hold talks with the Indian leadership on the last leg of his trip. During his parleys with Jones,Gilani expressed concerns about a possible influx of refugees from Afghanistan in the wake of the deployment of additional US and NATO forces in the neighbouring country.

He called for ending US drone attacks in the tribal belt to ensure the success of Pakistan’s strategy for isolating militants from tribesmen.

Gilani also expressed disappointment at the international community’s stand on his country’s efforts to combat terrorism,saying “the world response to help Pakistan win against these evil forces and to provide relief to the dislocated people had not been adequate.”

He asked the US to write off Pakistan’s debt to help the country overcome its immediate economic difficulties and make up for the economic losses it has suffered in the fight against terrorism.