News
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Take ‘decisive steps’ against terrorists: US
* Clinton says US has ‘absolutely no evidence’ that anyone at the highest level of govt knew about bin Laden
* Relations with Pakistan have reached turning point
ISLAMABAD: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday the United States was more committed to Pakistan after the Osama bin Laden crisis, but asked Islamabad to take decisive steps to defeat al Qaeda.
The top US diplomat affirmed that America had no evidence that anyone in Pakistan at the highest level knew where bin Laden was and she would return to Washington “ever more committed” to the relationship.
Talking to newsmen at the US Embassy in Islamabad after meeting Pakistan’s civil and military leadership – President Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani – Clinton also said that Pakistan had been “very forthcoming in saying somebody somewhere” was providing support to bin Laden and that a probe was under way.
“This was an especially important visit because we have reached a turning point. Osama bin Laden is dead but al Qaeda and his syndicate of terror remain a serious threat to us both,” added Clinton who also met Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha and foreign and interior ministries’ representatives.
She maintained that a “tremendous amount of commitment has been shown by the government of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism,” as the two countries had moved forward, since US President Barack Obama took over.
“We both recognise there is still much more work required and it is urgent,” she said, and added that the talks discussed in detail how to disarm, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in the region.
Clinton brushed aside suggestions that the meetings had been tense and sought to give Pakistan credit for the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers in military offensives and thousands of civilians in bomb attacks.
“We will continue to support Pakistan’s sovereignty, civilian elected government and its people. (But) America cannot and should not solve Pakistan’s problems. That’s up to Pakistan. But in solving its problems, Pakistan should understand that anti-Americanism and conspiracy theories will not make problems disappear,” averred Clinton.
“We will do our part and we look to the government of Pakistan to take decisive steps in the days ahead,” added the top US official.
“No nation has suffered more than the Pakistanis,” she said and assured Pakistan of full support of the US in “the long haul”.
Clinton, however, was unapologetic over the Abbottabad raid, which was the latest in a series of incidents, from US drone attacks inside Pakistan to the arrest of a CIA contractor for killing two Pakistanis, that have strained ties. Instead, she noted that Pakistan had a high concentration of terrorist leaders.
“For the past decade, many of the world’s most vicious terrorists, including al Qaeda’s most important leaders, have been living in Pakistan,” she claimed.
While acknowledging Pakistan’s interests in a stable and secure Afghanistan, she noted that Pakistan needed to be more helpful.
“Pakistan has a responsibility to help us help Afghanistan by preventing terrorists from waging war from Pakistan’s territory. We look forward to putting those words into action and seeing momentum for a political resolution,” added the American dignitary.
Clinton further said the US was attempting to split the Taliban in Afghanistan from al Qaeda, and encourage those terrorists to reconcile with the Afghan government.
“Many of the leaders of the Taliban continue to live in Pakistan,” she said.
During her meeting with the president, Clinton also expressed her condolences over the death of his father, Hakim Ali Zardari.
US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, who accompanied Clinton, pleaded for greater military cooperation.
“Now is not the time for retreat or for recrimination. Now is the time for action and closer coordination,” he asserted. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk