US sticks to opposition to IPI, warns of consequences
Sunday, 17 June 2007
ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (PTI): The US yesterday said that it is skeptical about the proposed USD seven-billion Iran-Pakistan- India (IPI) gas pipeline project pointing out it has already made clear the "consequences" for any country which invested in Iran.
"We've expressed our skepticism about the project. We've expressed our reservations about the project," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher said in an interview to Pakistani TV channels.
Answering a question on IPI, he said, "We have to point out, in fairness and honesty, that there are US regulations that determine how we can cooperate with countries that invest in Iran.
"And so, we wouldn't want someone to go into a deal and find out there are consequences for the United States that they hadn't anticipated. So, we do make that clear," he said.
Boucher said the US and European countries were "fed up" with the way Iran has pursued nuclear weapons. "I don't believe Pakistan wants another neighbour with a nuclear weapons," he said.
"I don't think you can separate Iran's behaviour in one particular area, where of its own personal and particular interest, from what Iran is doing more generally in the region and in the world," he said.
Boucher said, "I don't know that you want to tie your gas supply to Iran. That's a question, that's a question people have to answer. There are also commercial questions about the deal."
He said the US was interested in helping Pakistan to meet its energy needs.
"We've expressed our skepticism about the project. We've expressed our reservations about the project," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher said in an interview to Pakistani TV channels.
Answering a question on IPI, he said, "We have to point out, in fairness and honesty, that there are US regulations that determine how we can cooperate with countries that invest in Iran.
"And so, we wouldn't want someone to go into a deal and find out there are consequences for the United States that they hadn't anticipated. So, we do make that clear," he said.
Boucher said the US and European countries were "fed up" with the way Iran has pursued nuclear weapons. "I don't believe Pakistan wants another neighbour with a nuclear weapons," he said.
"I don't think you can separate Iran's behaviour in one particular area, where of its own personal and particular interest, from what Iran is doing more generally in the region and in the world," he said.
Boucher said, "I don't know that you want to tie your gas supply to Iran. That's a question, that's a question people have to answer. There are also commercial questions about the deal."
He said the US was interested in helping Pakistan to meet its energy needs.