Biden Holds Talks With Pakistani Leaders

WASHINGTON — Vice President-elect Joe Biden on Friday met with Pakistani leaders during an Asian trip meant to show the new administration's interest in the troubled region.

Biden and South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham met with President Asif Ali Zadari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, aides said. The bipartisan pair also discussed counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and the economy with interior adviser Rehman Malik and Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani.

In a statement, Gilani said he pressed upon Biden the importance of greater U.S. aid to improve Pakistan's military capacity. Biden has spearheaded legislation to increase humanitarian spending in Pakistan but that also links military aid to Islamabad's performance in the fight against militants.

Gilani also said the two countries should share more intelligence so Pakistan could go after militant targets on its own, removing the need for U.S. missile strikes on its territory. Pakistan routinely condemns such strikes by the U.S.

Biden aides did not disclose their schedule for security reasons, but the public descriptions of the trip suggested destinations such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The United States has a strong interest in the stability of Pakistan's weak civilian government because it is considered an ally in the region.

Biden traveled in his role as a U.S. senator from Delaware. He takes office as vice president on Jan. 20 but has not yet resigned his Senate seat. Aides said Biden took the trip now because an official White House trip would take months to organize.

Biden's trip just days before becoming vice president was a clear signal that President-elect Barack Obama's new administration plans to make an immediate priority the battle against al-Qaida and Taliban militants operating along the Pakistan-Afghan border. U.S. officials worry that a conflict with India could distract Pakistan from eliminating militant sanctuaries along the Afghan frontier, and have urged India and Pakistan to cooperate.

Obama's national security team suggested the visit to help the new administration get an on-the-ground sense of the situation in those countries.

Biden, who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had planned to travel with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the incoming chairman of committee, and Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Susan Collins, R-Maine. Those three bowed out of the group, citing Senate votes scheduled this weekend.

Biden was sworn in for a seventh term Tuesday, a move similar to what Lyndon Johnson did while in the same situation in 1960 when he also was vice president-elect. Edward Kaufman, Biden's chief of staff for almost two decades, was appointed to fill the seat when Biden resigns.

The state-run Associated Press of Pakistan said Zardari bestowed an award on Biden, the "Hilal-i-Pakistan," to recognize the veteran politician's "consistent support for democracy and socio-economic development in Pakistan and for his outstanding contribution to the strengthening of U.S.-Pakistan relations."

Comments

[ndnndpendent]

MIXED MESSAGE!

From Huff Po: Vice President-elect Joe Biden on Friday met with Pakistani leaders during an Asian trip meant to show the new administration's interest in the troubled region.

OBAMA, quoted in Haaretz: Obama added he would adhere to his principle that only Bush should be the voice of U.S. foreign policy at this time but he would have plenty to say after his inauguration in two weeks.

This is a mixed message: At least and if for no other reason, guys, be consistent.

I guess AIPAC gave its consent for the Pakistan and India visits?

If not, does Biden plan to stop over in Gaza? I thought so.

[CardboardBox]

It's nuanced. PE Obama said we can not have two administrations "setting foreign policy." He never said his administration is not feverishly preparing to chart his own foreign policy course--in fact, he said he would have plenty to say Jan. 20.

Biden is there neither to set policy nor speak on Obama's behalf. Obama said only one person has the LEGAL AUTHORITY to set and act on foreign policy for the country: Pres Bush. Biden is there as Senator of the US. While there, he will gather information he will use starting Jan 20.

Not really that hard to understand, but many fail to.

[NoToGOP08]

I'm sure Zardari is miffed it wasn't Palin sitting in front of him.

[djgonebad]

She could've pulled a Sharon Stone and ended that regions perpetual miseries.

[shedances]

I've been wondering when, exactly, VP-Elect Biden was going to get to Pakistan ... I had hoped it would be sooner (perhaps before the Mumbai, India, massacre).

[ptfcNassoc]

Did B.ush/Cheney ever get some type of award by the/a President/Prime minister of Pakistan?

[WilliamL]

This is the same bunch who could not keep someone from putting a hole in Bhuttos head-

What they need is a very clear warning that the Amercian people(some of anyway) are tired, brok,

and tired of their b.s.

[hortonhearsawho2]

The Vice President is aware of your concerns..

[philosopherkingtomas]

get Bin Laden finally, he is old and over 7 feet tall ! get him!

[judyc]

Bhutto wrote in her book that he's been dead for 5 years.

[tobyjack]

I'm pretty sure he's clearing brush in Crawford.

[Teri]

more aid? are they crazy? give ny state the money, forget pakistan, they are nothing but enemies harboring terrorist who seek to do harm to the us! if money is given, then STRICK conditions MUST be met!!!

[vinny]

More aid to Pakistan?!? NO WAY!!! After the Billions that they received, Pakistan has become a Harbor of Terrorism. And now Biden, promises more aid?

We need to make some noise about this.

[Grunty1]

Its from the AP, bastion of faulty and unverified stories.

Take it with a huge grain of salt.

[tobyjack]

Don't forget purveyor of pro israeli rhetoric.

[hortonhearsawho2]

Pipe down Sailor...

[LizM]

No, I think what you need to do is learn more about this issue and pay very close attention to what the VP-elect has to say about this issue and any number of others.

[vinny]

"Biden has spearheaded legislation to increase humanitarian spending in Pakistan but that also links military aid to Islamabad's performance in the fight against militants."

I think we've given Pakistan enough.

[SparkyDash]

It's important to learn more about the issues and VPE Biden's complete response to them. This is AP release seen across the media. There will be more information to follow and from other sources.