ID :
128930
Mon, 06/21/2010 - 13:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/128930
The shortlink copeid
US envoy warns Pakistan against Iran gas line
Islamabad, June 21, IRNA - US Special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke Sunday warned Pakistan against a multi-billion-dollar Iran gas pipeline intended to bring the much-needed natural gas to the energy starved country.
Pakistan and Iran formally struck a $7.5 billion gas pipeline deal in Tehran on June 13 under which the Islamic Republic will supply Pakistan with natural gas from mid-2014.
“Pakistan should be wary of opting for gas deal with Iran,” Holbrooke told reporters on the conclusion of his two-day visit to Pakistan.
On Saturday, the US envoy did not object at the Iran gas line when a reporter asked him about the project in his joint press conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Holbrooke took u-turn on the issue and said on Sunday, “We warn Pakistan to wait for upcoming US law against Iran”. He said the US Senate is working on a law which could affect the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.
The UN Security Council slapped sanctions on Iran this month over its nuclear program.
“New sanctions on Iran can impact Pakistan,” Holbrooke said, adding “US understands that Pakistan faces major energy crisis”.
“We warn Pakistan not to make progress on the project unless the US is formulated,” the envoy insisted.
The US has always opposed the Iran gas pipeline with energy-starved Pakistan and in April, US Assistant-Secretary of State Robert Blake urged Pakistan to reconsider its deal with Iran.
The pipeline was initially mooted to carry gas from Iran to Pakistan and on to India. India withdrew from negotiations last year after signing a nuclear deal with the United States, but has kept open the option of rejoining the project at a later stage.
Iran will export more than 21 million cubic metres (742 million cubic feet) of natural gas daily, according to the deal./end
Pakistan and Iran formally struck a $7.5 billion gas pipeline deal in Tehran on June 13 under which the Islamic Republic will supply Pakistan with natural gas from mid-2014.
“Pakistan should be wary of opting for gas deal with Iran,” Holbrooke told reporters on the conclusion of his two-day visit to Pakistan.
On Saturday, the US envoy did not object at the Iran gas line when a reporter asked him about the project in his joint press conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Holbrooke took u-turn on the issue and said on Sunday, “We warn Pakistan to wait for upcoming US law against Iran”. He said the US Senate is working on a law which could affect the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.
The UN Security Council slapped sanctions on Iran this month over its nuclear program.
“New sanctions on Iran can impact Pakistan,” Holbrooke said, adding “US understands that Pakistan faces major energy crisis”.
“We warn Pakistan not to make progress on the project unless the US is formulated,” the envoy insisted.
The US has always opposed the Iran gas pipeline with energy-starved Pakistan and in April, US Assistant-Secretary of State Robert Blake urged Pakistan to reconsider its deal with Iran.
The pipeline was initially mooted to carry gas from Iran to Pakistan and on to India. India withdrew from negotiations last year after signing a nuclear deal with the United States, but has kept open the option of rejoining the project at a later stage.
Iran will export more than 21 million cubic metres (742 million cubic feet) of natural gas daily, according to the deal./end
