US asks Pak not to rush into Iran gas project

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US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke said on Sunday that Pakistan should not rush into any gas project with Iran.
“Pakistan is a sovereign country. It can take its own decisions but the anticipated US sanctions on Iran could hit the Pakistani companies if they continue with the (gas) project with Iran,” Mr Holbrooke told reporters here.
He added, “Yes, we understand Pakistan is in dire need of energy and is making efforts to reduce the scarcity but we have a new legislation that targets Iran.” Mr Holbrooke said Pakistan should “wait and see” before committing anything with Iran.
He said that new legislation, which targets Iran’s energy sector, is being drafted in the US Congress. “Pakistan has an obvious, major energy problem and we are sympathetic to that, but in regards to a specific project, legislation is being prepared that may apply to the project,” he said, adding, “We caution the Pakistanis not to over-commit themselves until we know the legislation.”
US Senator Joseph Lieberman said last week he expects Congress to finish shortly legislation tightening US sanctions on Iran that will include provisions affecting the supply of refined petroleum products to Tehran, and add to sanctions on its financial sector.
Senator Lieberman, an independent, is a member of a House-Senate committee of negotiators working on final details of the bill and said it could pass by July 4. The $7.6 billion natural gas pipeline deal, signed in March, does not directly deal with refined petroleum products and was hailed in both Iran and Pakistan as highly beneficial.
The US has so far been muted in its criticism of the deal, balancing its need to support Pakistan, a vital ally in the global war against Al Qaeda, with its desire to isolate Iran. But the legislation could be comprehensive enough to have major implications for Pakistani companies, Mr Holbrooke said. Afghanistan was on the agenda in meetings with the Pakistani leadership, Mr Holbrooke said, including talks on a Pakistani role in talks between the Afghan Taliban and the Kabul government.
The US has said any groups wishing to lay down their weapons must renounced Al Qaeda and agree to participate peacefully in the Afghan political process. “It’s just hard to see that happening,” Mr Holbrooke said of the Haqqani network.