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Sharief's envoy meets Talbott to discuss sanctions

Sahebzada Yaqub Khan, special envoy of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief, met US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott in Washington yesterday to discuss the situation arising out of the nuclear tests by his country which provoked the US to impose economic sanctions.

Talbott, who has been designated as ''lead official'' by President Bill Clinton for contacts with Indian and Pakistani officials in the aftermath of the nuclear tests, held similar discussions with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Jaswant Singh on June 12. Singh had arrived as special envoy of Prime Minister A B Vajpayee.

Talbott's meeting with the Sahebzada had a significance because the US official is scheduled to have another round of discussion with Jaswant Singh later this week in Frankfurt.

Sahebzada, a former Pakistani foreign minister, met Talbott over lunch, during which other US officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Karl Inderfurth, were also present.

According to informed sources, the US is keen to know about Pakistan's security concerns.

UNI

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