ISLAMABAD, 14 April 2006 — A member of the powerful US Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Intelligence said yesterday he doubted whether the United States would use military force to settle a row with Iran over its nuclear program.
Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Republican from Nebraska, said during a visit to Pakistan that military action was “not a viable, feasible option.”
“I do not expect any kind of military solution on the Iran issue,” Hagel told a news conference at the US Embassy in Islamabad, stressing that he was speaking for himself rather than the Senate or the Bush administration.
“I think to further comment on it would be complete speculation, but I would say that a military strike against Iran, a military option, is not a viable, feasible, responsible option,” he added.
Hagel, who met President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, said he had discussed Iran with Pakistani officials. Pakistan opposes the use of force against its fellow Muslim neighbor.
“I believe a political settlement will be the answer. Not a military settlement. All these issues will require a political settlement,” Hagel said.
In response to a question about whether a US offer to supply rival India with civil nuclear technology would ever be extended to Pakistan, Hagel did not rule out the possibility.
“There may well be a future agreement between Pakistan and the US,” Hagel said.
Aziz asked Hagel to help work for a civilian nuclear treaty between Pakistan and the United States as Pakistan’s energy needs are increasing as its economy grows at a fast clip.
Aziz told the US senator “We firmly believe in inter-faith harmony, economic progress and prosperity of the peoples of South Asia while emphasizing Pakistan’s role in fostering peace and stability in the region.
On the need for a similar treaty as the one signed by India and US, Kasuri had earlier said at the National Assembly that “Our parliamentarians will be visiting United States to debate out this subject with US Congressmen as we want similar status.”
Hagel will proceed to New Delhi after meeting Pakistani leaders. Another team of US lawmakers, led by Republican House Leader Dennis Hastert will first visit Delhi before crossing over to Islamabad.
Another US Sen. Brian Joyce is also currently visiting Pakistan. He said the Pak-US relations should be based on economic, culture and bilateral cooperation for the promotion of education and health care.
— Additional input from agencies.
