Biden in Pakistan for Talks With Top Officials - New York Times

Biden in Pakistan for Talks With Top Officials - New York Times

By SALMAN MASOOD

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday for a day of talks with Pakistan’s top civilian and military leaders on the strategic partnership, officials said. Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari met in Islamabad on Wednesday. This is Mr. Biden’s second visit to Pakistan, considered an uneasy partner in the efforts against terrorism. Relations have been strained recently over American insistence that Pakistan Army troops move into North Waziristan, a safe haven for Al Qaeda and Taliban militants who have used the rugged tribal sanctuary to stage assaults inside Afghanistan. Pakistani officials say that they want to undertake the offensive at a time of their own choice.  An American Embassy spokesperson said that Mr. Biden is meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and will discuss bilateral relations and how both countries can work to ensure peace and stability in the region, officials said.  Mr. Biden is also meeting the country’s powerful army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, according to Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, the spokesperson for the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the military.

Lt. Gen. Ahmad Shuja Pasha, the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence directorate, is also expected to be present although a spokesperson for the powerful intelligence organization said a separate meeting with General Pasha was not scheduled. Mr. Biden was greeted by Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, state minister for foreign affairs, and other Foreign Ministry officials at Chaklala Air Base on his arrival.