US, Pakistan and Afghanistan face common enemy: Clinton

Washington, May 6 (ANI): US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US are facing a common threat.

The United States deeply regrets the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan, she said at a joint press conference with President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai

"I wish to express my personal regret and certainly the sympathy of our administration on the loss of civilian life in Afghanistan," The News quoted Clinton, as saying.

"We deeply regret it. We don't know all of the circumstances or causes. And there will be a joint investigation by your government and ours," Clinton said.

"But any loss of life, any loss of innocent life, is particularly painful," she said.

"And I want to convey to the people of both Afghanistan and Pakistan that we will work very hard with your governments and with your leaders to avoid the loss of innocent civilian life," Clinton said.

"And we deeply, deeply regret that loss," she added.

"We welcome the leadership of Pakistan and Afghanistan in this difficult time, she said.

Secretary Clinton said: "We all have a responsibility along with two governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to restore the peace in their respective countries."

Afghanistan and Pakistan have committed a trade and transit agreement aimed at increasing commerce and foreign investment in the two countries, Clinton said.

The pact, to be concluded by year's end, is "an important milestone in their efforts to generate foreign investment, stronger economic growth and trade opportunities," she said.

Speaking on this occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari promised to aid Afghanistan and the United States in battling the threat of terrorism posed by al Qaeda and the Taliban insurgents.

"Our threat is common and our responsibilities should be shared. I am here to assure that we should share this burden with you," he said. (ANI)