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No assurances against military coup in Pakistan: US
Amid growing tension between the civilian and military leadership in Pakistan, United States has said it had not sought or received any assurances from the Pakistani army that it would not stage a coup.
"I'm not aware that we've sought any assurances, and I don't think we're aware that we've been given any. This is a matter for Pakistani officials and the government leaders there, military and civilian, to work out," said Navy Capt John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman.
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.
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No assurances against military coup in Pakistan: US
The timing of the call was not divulged, except that it has taken place within recent days.
On Wednesday, Pakistan 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 the Inter-Services Intelligence, and the premier taking them head on by sacking the defence secretary over the memo scandal.
Pentagon officials have also decline to comment on the ongoing tussle between the military and the civilian government led by Pakistan 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 said.
No assurances against military coup in Pakistan: US
The important thing with Pakistan is for the United States to continue its dialogue at all levels, he 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," Little 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.
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