Luger asks Obama to “woo” Zardari to share secrets, ensure safety of Pak nukes

October 1st, 2009 LONDON - Amid growing international concerns over Pakistan's nuclear assets falling into extremists' hands, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has also expressed fears regarding the safety of Pakistan's nuke weapons. Addressing a gathering here, the IISS Director, Mark Fitz said that while Islamabad has assured the world that it has taken all measures to ensure the safety and security of the country's nuclear weapons, the extremist threat still looms large.

August 21st, 2009 Shhh ... Obama mum on what's in 'book of secrets'WASHINGTON — Yes, President Barack Obama has seen the fabled book of secrets from the "National Treasure" film sequel. And he's staying zipped on what's in it.

August 11th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said the country is committed to ensuring equal rights to all minorities as per the Constitution. In a message delivered on Minorities Day, Zardari said all measures will be taken to ensure complete freedom and security to people belonging to minority communities.

July 19th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has vowed to transform his country into a 'great nation', saying no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the constitution. Speaking at a dinner party that he hosted for PPP parliamentarians here, Zardari said he would achieve what other leaders before him have failed to do.

June 24th, 2009 BRUSSELS - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that India is no longer a military threat to Pakistan, rather it is the Taliban which is threatening peace in the region as well as in the whole world. Talking to a private television channel ahead of the first summit between the European Union (EU) and Pakistan here, Zardari said both India and Pakistan do not have any ill-feelings against each other, and both the countries have good intentions.

May 24th, 2009 TEHRAN - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday called for joint efforts by Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran to ensure regional stability and to combat terrorism and militancy We have to get together to tackle these challenges. It is not just the matter of our survival, but for the betterment and safety of our future generations, APP quoted Zardari as saying while addressing the first trilateral summit of the three countries here.

May 23rd, 2009 LAHORE - Hinting that the military offensive against the Taliban and other extremist groups could be expanded into other regions than the Swat Valley, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said the Taliban would be hunted down everywhere inside the country's geographical territory. In an interview to a private television channel, Zardari refuted media reports that quoted him as saying that the government is planning to carry out military operations in Waziristan after Swat.

May 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The United States has reiterated it 'full faith and confidence' in Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari saying they have been reassured about Islamabad's commitment to dealing with the Taliban and safety of its nuclear arsenal. 'We were assured by President Zardari that they have complete command and control of the nuclear weapons in Pakistan,' State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters Monday when asked whether the US had made any promises about helping to protect Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

May 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An influential US senator has asked President Barack Obama to press Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to accept more US help in securing his country's nuclear arsenal and raw materials for chemical or biological weapons. 'He must convince President Zardari to accept more assistance and embrace cooperation,' said Richard Lugar, top Republican member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a statement Wednesday.

May 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Dispelling fears about the safety of the nuclear arsenal of the country, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the country's nuclear weapons are in safe custody. In an interview with a US television channel, Zardari ruled out threats posed by the militants to the nuclear weapons, as long as the military exists in the country.

May 6th, 2009 LAHORE - : The United States wants the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif to become Pakistan's Prime Minister and President Zardari to continue on the post, a top Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader has claimed. According to the Daily Times, the leader, who is close to Zardari, said Sharif has become the 'blue-eyed boy' of the US and the rest of the western countries.

May 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Ahead of his much awaited meeting with US President Barack Obama, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the United States to provide Predator drone aircrafts to Islamabad to enable it to counter the expanding terror threat in the country more effectively. "I need drones to be part of my arsenal.

May 1st, 2009 Obama to meet with Afghan, Pakistan leadersWASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama will meet Wednesday with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss their troubled region. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday that Obama would meet jointly and separately with the two at the White House.

May 1st, 2009 White House: Obama to meet with Karzai, ZardariWASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama will meet Wednesday with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss their troubled region. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday that Obama would meet jointly and separately with the two at the White House.

April 30th, 2009 Obama favors changes to state secrets doctrineWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says changes need to be made to the state secrets doctrine. Obama was questioned at a prime-time news conference Wednesday about the claim that the president has inherent and unchecked power to shield national security information from disclosure.