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US disapproves of proposed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline
Islamabad - The visiting US energy secretary Samuel Bodman Monday “practically” disapproved a proposed multi-billion dollars gas pipeline project that will bring the fuel from Iran to Pakistan. “We do not approve this project as Iran is developing nuclear weapons,” he told a group of select media in Islamabad after talks with Pakistani leaders including Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmud Kasuri.
"Nope, nope, won't go for it, nope, can't be done."
Bodman was on a day-long visit to discuss Pakistan’s energy needs and said his country stands ready to assist Islamabad develop sustainable energy options. He said his country also did not encourage contractual obligations by any country with Iran vis-a-vis the pipeline project that could be extended to India.

Pakistani, Iranian and Indian petroleum officials were to begin three-day talks in Teheran on Monday to discuss technical and financial aspects of the project structure ahead of the trilateral ministerial meeting planned in April.

American officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, have often publicly expressed reservations about the multi-billion-dollar pipeline project, which Pakistan says is essential for its growing energy demands. However, without making any financial commitment, Bodman said his country was ready to help Pakistan explore and exploit its own vast but untapped renewable energy resources such as the coal in central and southern regions.
Posted by: Steve White 2006-03-14
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=145371