Pentagon wants 'strong' ties with Pak military

Amid the stand off between the army and the civilian leadership in Pakistan, the US today said that is for political leaders and the military to sort out their differences, but underlined that it was for "strong relationship" with the Pakistani armed forces.

In the face of speculation of a military coup in Pakistan, the US said it had not sought or received any assurances from the army that it would not stage a coup.

"Those matters are for the civilian and military leaders in Pakistan to work out. We on our part continue to want a strong, constructive relationship with the Pakistani military particularly when it comes to operations along that border," Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt John Kirby told reporters.

"Nothing has changed about our view on having a good relationship with that country and a very strong relationship with that the country's military. We are focused on that," he said in response to a questions on the heightened tension between its army and the civilian government in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin E Dempsey, has spoken to Pakistani Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

"My understanding is that Chairman Dempsey has been in contact with Gen Kayani. It was a productive and professional

conversation. I'm not going to get into the details. But that call has taken place," Little told reporters.

The timing of the call was not divulged, except that it has taken place within recent days.

Pakistan has plunged into fresh turmoil with the powerful army warning Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of "grievous consequences" for his recent criticism of the military and ISI, and the Premier taking them head on by sacking the defence secretary over the memo scandal.

Pentagon officials have decline to comment on the ongoing tussle between the military and the civilian government led by President Asif Ali Zardari, saying that this is an internal matter of the country.

"I'm not going to speculate on how this internal Pakistani political development may or may not impact the relationship with the US. We have relationships in many places inside the Pakistani government. So, I wouldn't want to suggest that one data point makes a trend," Little earlier said.

The important thing with Pakistan is for the United States to continue its dialogue at all levels, the Pentagon Press Secretary said.

"We have an important military-to-military relationship with Pakistan, and we know that we've hit bumps in the road over the past several months," he said.

The Pentagon hopes to improve the relationship and get back to a place where they can cooperate vigorously on a range of matters, he said.

"There are a number of issues of common concern that we share, and to include counterterrorism and a range of other issues. So we look forward to improving the state of our relationship with our Pakistani partners," he said.

"We continue to be concerned about the safe havens there in Pakistan and we continue to seek a better co-ordination and communication with the Pakistani military particularly across that border," Kirby said during an off camera news conference.