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US to extend all-out help for Pak's energy needs
3/15/2006
ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP): Samuel Wright Bodman, US Energy Secretary yesterday said that United States would help Pakistan to meet its growing energy needs which was eminent due to rapid economic growth.
"My visit is an effort to further the strategic partnership," he said talking to a group of journalists at US Ambassador's residence and added, "President Bush instructed me to look ways, how US government could be helpful in realising Pakistan's energy objectives."
Bodman in his opening statement said, the purpose of my visit is to "listen" and "see" and understand what are the needs and opportunities and how to attract investment to build energy infrastructure in Pakistan to keep pace with economic growth.
Terming the US President's recent visit to Pakistan as historic, the Energy Secretary said, "President Bush's visit was very important. It will usher and has the potential to usher in new era of our strategic relationship."
"Pakistan and US have very important strategic relationship and my visit to Pakistan within seven days of President Bush's visit is evident of the fact," he said.
He said, during his talks with Pakistani officials, they deliberated at length on the energy potential of Pakistan. "We also discussed in detail Pakistan being gateway to South Asia and its trade and energy links with Central Asia."
US Energy Secretary said that he held wide ranging effective dialogue on energy. We have outlined the potential sources of energy that include, coal, gas and wind energy. To a question, he said, my talks did not include civil nuclear cooperation.
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