US had no access to AQ Khan: Burns

The US had no personal access to Dr AQ Khan, although it keeps pressing Pakistan on that point, said Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns.

Washington, July 27 : The US had no "personal access" to Dr AQ Khan, although it keeps pressing Pakistan on that point, said Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns.

Burns testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said that the US has informed Pakistan Government that it is its responsibility to dismantle AQ Khan's network, and to make sure that similar organisation is not created again.

Commenting on existence of Khan's network, Burns said, "I cannot assert that no part of that network exists, but it's my understanding based on our conversations with the Pakistanis that the network has been fundamentally dismantled. But to say that there are no elements in Pakistan, I'm not sure I could say that."

He said Washington would like Islamabad to "do more" on terrorism issue, and asked the Pakistan Government to ensure that terrorist groups do not re-emerge under different names.

Burns confirmed that "the al Qaeda has certainly found a refuge, as have many members, and leaders of the Taliban, in tribal areas of Pakistan" bordering Afghanistan.

Asked about Frances Townsend's remarks about US strikes inside Pakistan, Burns said, "We want to respect the sovereignty of the Pakistan Government. And it is sovereign throughout all parts of the country in terms of its international legal character. It's sovereign. And we want to work with the Pakistanis."

He described Pakistan as most indispensable partner in the fight against the al Qaeda and other Islamic terrorist groups in South Asia, the daily Times reported.

ANI