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US, Pakistan Pledge To Improve Ties


The United States and Pakistan are pledging to improve their sometimes tense relationship, as the top diplomats from each country begin talks here in Washington.

In opening the discussions, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged that "misperceptions and misunderstandings" have grown on both sides of the relationship in recent years. But she said the Obama administration is pursuing a broader engagement with Pakistan to reverse the trend.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the two countries have a deep history of working together for common aims, including their successful partnership against the Soviet Union.

But Qureshi also said that Pakistan has paid a price for partnering with the United States against terrorism. He said thousands of innocent Pakistanis have died in terrorist attacks and that the government struggles with an influx of refugees, weapons and drugs. He said Pakistan's economy has been hurt by the conflict.

Pakistani officials brought a list of proposals for closer cooperation -- including requests for more military equipment such as pilotless drones, aid for improving the country's energy industry and economic stimulus efforts.

Pakistani officials have also said they are interested in a deal similar to Washington's civilian nuclear power agreement with India.

U.S. officials have been reluctant to endorse such a deal for Pakistan, saying the process for the Indian deal took several years of sustained talks.

The Pakistani foreign minister also said he hopes for continued U.S. "constructive engagement" on Pakistan's long-running dispute with India over Kashmir. While Pakistan has favored involving Washington in settling the territorial dispute, India has insisted it is a bilateral issue with its neighbor.

Also present at this week's talks are senior defense officials and military officers, including the chief of the Pakistani army and the top U.S. military officer.

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