WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday declared a "new day" with Pakistan after years of uneasy cooperation between the countries, but some of Islamabad's requests met a cool reception. Clinton opened a first-of-a-kind "strategic dialogue" with Pakistan, hoping to show the country's largely anti-American public that the United States wants a relationship that goes beyond short-term battles against Islamic militants. Saying she wanted to speak directly to the people of Pakistan, Clinton acknowledged the two nations "have had our misunderstandings and disagreements in the past" but declared that "its struggles are our struggles." "There are sure to be more disagreements in the future, as there are between any friends or, frankly, any family members," she said. "But this is a new day. For the past year, the Obama administration has shown in our words and deeds a different approach and attitude toward Pakistan." Pakistan was a Cold War ally of the United States and the two nations helped arm Islamic insurgents who ousted Soviet troops from Afghanistan in 1989. But US concerns mounted and it distanced itself from Pakistan until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The US Congress last year approved a five-year, 7.5 billion-dollar aid package for Pakistan, hoping to chip away support for Islamic extremism by building schools, infrastructure and democratic institutions. But in a nod to the continued powerful role of Pakistan's military, the United States invited General Ashfaq Kayani, the army chief, to take part in the dialogue, along with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Qureshi said Pakistan was in a "consequential effort to turn the tide against extremism." But he made clear that Pakistan wanted benefits in return. Pakistan was seeking "non-discriminatory" access to energy resources as well as a "constructive" role by the United States on its dispute with India over Kashmir," he said. "Pakistan is committed to doing its part to facilitate the world community's effort for peace and stability in Afghanistan," Qureshi said. "We hope the world community will be equally responsive to our legitimate concerns and help advance common interests," he said. Pakistan has long sought international intervention on Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan territory which is divided with India and has been the focal point of two of the nations' three full-fledged wars. The United States has declined mediation on Kashmir, which India considers a domestic issue. India has said it is willing to engage in dialogue on all issues related to Kashmir except redrawing borders. Pakistan has said it wants a civilian nuclear deal with the United States similar to a landmark agreement reached by India. The rival nations stunned the world with nuclear tests in 1998.
