Pakistan PM Wants Better Relations With US

It is clear that Pakistan is struggling somewhat in its relations with the United States. Congress is starting to argue about military aid budgets and Democrat Jesse Jackson has recently referred to the lack of harmony between Islamabad and Washington as a bad marriage. Tensions have intensified since a US Drone strike killed more than 20 people in November last year, followed by Pakistan's boycott of Nato traffic in and out of Afghanistan, and Hillary Clinton's repeated assertion that al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri is currently in Pakistan.In an interview with Sky News, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said he wanted to improve relations with the US following the killing of Osama bin Laden on its soil last year. "There have been lots of ups and downs in our relationship," said Mr Gilani. "We know the importance of the United States. We really want to improve our relations. We are in the middle of discussions and I am sure that better things will come out." He also described the relationship between the CIA and ISI, respectively the US and Pakistani intelligence agencies, as "good". "All high-value targets of al Qaeda - they have been achieved with the support and with the help of the ISI, with the CIA," he said. "Therefore, when we are working together so closely, I think there should be no hesitation in sharing information with Pakistan." What is interesting is Mr Gilani's view on the murdered Red Cross worker Khalil Dale, who was kidnapped at gunpoint in Pakistan in January and found dead last month.He entered I don't know from which country, and his visa was expired. According to the laws and rules of my country, no foreigners can move without the permission of the interior ministry. I heard he entered from Iran, and he did not follow the advice of travelling to Baluchistan," said the PM. "We condemn this incident... we are sorry for the family. But at the same time, one should follow the rules within the country." Political tensions in Pakistan of course are a matter of record. President Asif Ali Zardari's party is under constant attack from the opposition and the judiciary, much of it is said to be well-deserved, but Mr Gilani remains sanguine on the subject of the turbulent Pakistani scene. He believes his country often feels misunderstood - that America's war on terror is a matter of real choices for the people of Pakistan, and where the US complains and pressurises, his people actually ride the blows. All that of course is fair enough, but there is still some justification to western fears that the job will always only be half done. Pakistan is unlikely to have representation at the upcoming Nato summit in Chicago. It is also still vascillating over whether or not to charge Nato per truck when it reopens the roads for Isaf vehicles - the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - back into Afghanistan. Imran Khan, the cricket sensation turned politician is expected to challenge Mr Gilani for the premiership at next year's elections. In Mr Gilani's opinion, Mr Khan is "a good cricketer", but "politics is another ball game".