US State department respond over Pakistan Foreign Office rejection of Mike Pompeo, PM Imran Khan terror talk
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ISLAMABAD - US State Department's spokesperson Heather Nauert has responded over the issue of the controversial statement by the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in telephone call with PM Imran Khan.
State department in Thursday's press briefing, stood by the department's readout on the phone call between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo earlier in the day.
A readout issued by US state department had said: "Secretary Pompeo raised the importance of Pakistan taking decisive action against all terrorists operating in Pakistan and its vital role in promoting the Afghan peace process."
Soon after, the Foreign Office had taken exception to the "factually incorrect statement issued by the US State Department" regarding the discussion during the phone call, saying there was "no mention at all in the conversation about terrorists operating in Pakistan".
During the press briefing, when asked about Pakistan's call for immediate correction to the readout, Nauert answered that both sides had a "good call".
"In the readout, the secretary notes that he spoke with the new prime minister and expressed his willingness to work with the new government toward a productive bilateral relationship. They had a good call," she said. "That may surprise some of you, but they had a good call. Pakistan is an important partner to the United States. We hope to forge a good, productive working relationship with the new civilian government."
She went on to say that based on her understanding, "the beginning of the call or the call itself was a good call, and a good discussion toward our working with the new government and the new administration".
When asked again by a reporter if the US government continues to stand by the readout, she said: "We stand by our readout."
