No preconditions for Clinton-Gujral talks

There is no precondition set for the talks between US President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, scheduled for Monday in New York.

Addressing the media on Thursday in Washington, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Karl Inderfurth said there were no conditions on what would be discussed and what would not be discussed. ''But clearly our emphasis will be on strengthening bilateral relations,'' he said.

Clinton will also meet Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief on Monday. All three leaders will be in New York on September 22, in connection with the UN General Assembly meeting.

In reply to a question, Inderfurth denied any pro-Pakistan tilt in US foreign policy. ''We have common interests and we want to pursue them,'' he added.

Asked about Congressman Frank Pallone's statement that the Clinton administration intended to deliver the 28 embargoed F-16 combat aircraft to Pakistan, Inderfurth said he was not sure what the law-maker was referring to.

He, however, said it was an important issue and that Sharief had raised it when Inderfurth called on the Pak prime minister in Islamabad. ''We are looking for a way to find an acceptable solution,'' he added.

UNI

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