US denies plans to discuss N-deal with Pak

Washington, Mar 23: In sharp contrast to its earlier stance, United States on Monday, Mar 22 dismissed reports that it was planning to discuss nuclear deal with Pakistan.

"The US has not entered (into) negotiations on a civil nuclear agreement with Pakistan," a spokesperson of the US embassy in the capital said in the news agency report.

"The United States is committed to helping Pakistan address its real and growing energy needs, and we look forward to cooperating with Pakistan in ways that are compatible with Pakistan's economic, environmental and security needs and with US international commitments and policies," it said.

Earlier, US Ambassador in Islamabad Anne W Patterson was quoted in US-based Pakistani newspaper as saying that US was taking into consideration Pakistan's request for cooperation in establishing nuclear power plants in the country.

"We are beginning to have a discussion with the Pakistan government on the country"s desire to tap nuclear energy," US envoy in Islamabad Anne W Patterson was quoted as saying in a Los Angeles-based Pakistani newspaper.

"We are going to have working level talks on the issue in Washington in March," she said.

OneIndia News