Monday, November 02, 2009 WASHINGTON: Calling Pakistan’s current anti militant campaign as ‘incredibly important,’ US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the Pakistani forces are making ‘real progress’ in the fight against Taliban in the northwestern valleys and tribal areas.She also recognized that the democratic government’s support and military sacrifices are making a “big difference” in Pakistan’s ongoing campaign in mountainous South Waziristan tribal area bordering Afghanistan, where US led International forces are struggling to contain a fierce Taliban insurgency.“They’re making real progress. And I think that the sacrifice that the Pakistanis have undertaken, the loss of life that they are suffering, is the clearest evidence of their seriousness and their resolve,” Clinton told sources in an interview.Clinton also said the US will assist reconstruction efforts in Swat and South Waziristan.“And they’re very concerned about reconstruction in both Swat and Waziristan, something that we want to help them and have been helping them on. But they also know that the attacks will continue unless they continue to go after these organizations. And I am very convinced that they understand that and they will,” added the top US diplomat.The US diplomat spoke after discussing ways to enhance relations with top Pakistani political leaders including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, opposition leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, military leaders and civil society representatives.In answer to a question about her meetings with Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI chief, Clinton said Pakistan army is clearing out the militants and taking them out in South Waziristan.“I think they’re doing both. I—mean, they are very committed to seeing through this action in South Waziristan. And they gave me a briefing on where they are in their campaign against the Taliban.”The Pakistani officials, she said, “are very knowledgeable about the challenges in Afghanistan.”“So what we discussed in great detail was the perspective that they bring to the decision that President Barack Obama has to make – on way forward in Afghanistan.” Now, this has “ the perspective of the military and the intelligence leaders has been shared with chairman US Chiefs Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen and US commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal and CENTCOM chief General David Petraeus and we really appreciate their consulting and advising us on this.” “But at the end of the discussion, what is clear is that were in this together. We have a common threat and a common enemy. The best way to achieve our strategic goals of defeating al Qaida and their extremist allies and creating a political situation that permits the reintegration of the foot soldiers back into society and undermines their commitment to militancy is really the strategy on both sides of the border, and how best to achieve that is what we discussed.”Meanwhile, in an interview with a foreign channel, Clinton applauded the Islamabad’s anti terrorism resolve.“You’re going after the Pakistan Taliban; you’ve gone after them in Swat successfully; you’re now going after them in South Waziristan. This is an incredibly important campaign, and the military sacrifice and the democratic government support is making a big difference.”“But let’s remember that the Pakistan Taliban is part of a terrorist syndicate that is directed, funded, inspired by al Qaida, and it will not be sufficient to achieve the level of security the Pakistanis deserve, if we don’t go after those who are still threatening not only Pakistan, but Afghanistan and the rest of the world.”At the same time, Clinton said, she understood the priority of the Pakistani government in going after the enemies who most directly threaten them. ”And I understand that priority. I mean, I think any country would do the same”, she added.
Monday, November 02, 2009 WASHINGTON: Calling Pakistan’s current anti militant campaign as ‘incredibly important,’ US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the Pakistani forces are making ‘real progress’ in the fight against Taliban in the northwestern valleys and tribal areas.She also recognized that the democratic government’s support and military sacrifices are making a “big difference” in Pakistan’s ongoing campaign in mountainous South Waziristan tribal area bordering Afghanistan, where US led International forces are struggling to contain a fierce Taliban insurgency.“They’re making real progress. And I think that the sacrifice that the Pakistanis have undertaken, the loss of life that they are suffering, is the clearest evidence of their seriousness and their resolve,” Clinton told sources in an interview.Clinton also said the US will assist reconstruction efforts in Swat and South Waziristan.“And they’re very concerned about reconstruction in both Swat and Waziristan, something that we want to help them and have been helping them on. But they also know that the attacks will continue unless they continue to go after these organizations. And I am very convinced that they understand that and they will,” added the top US diplomat.The US diplomat spoke after discussing ways to enhance relations with top Pakistani political leaders including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, opposition leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, military leaders and civil society representatives.In answer to a question about her meetings with Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI chief, Clinton said Pakistan army is clearing out the militants and taking them out in South Waziristan.“I think they’re doing both. I—mean, they are very committed to seeing through this action in South Waziristan. And they gave me a briefing on where they are in their campaign against the Taliban.”The Pakistani officials, she said, “are very knowledgeable about the challenges in Afghanistan.”“So what we discussed in great detail was the perspective that they bring to the decision that President Barack Obama has to make – on way forward in Afghanistan.” Now, this has “ the perspective of the military and the intelligence leaders has been shared with chairman US Chiefs Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen and US commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal and CENTCOM chief General David Petraeus and we really appreciate their consulting and advising us on this.” “But at the end of the discussion, what is clear is that were in this together. We have a common threat and a common enemy. The best way to achieve our strategic goals of defeating al Qaida and their extremist allies and creating a political situation that permits the reintegration of the foot soldiers back into society and undermines their commitment to militancy is really the strategy on both sides of the border, and how best to achieve that is what we discussed.”Meanwhile, in an interview with a foreign channel, Clinton applauded the Islamabad’s anti terrorism resolve.“You’re going after the Pakistan Taliban; you’ve gone after them in Swat successfully; you’re now going after them in South Waziristan. This is an incredibly important campaign, and the military sacrifice and the democratic government support is making a big difference.”“But let’s remember that the Pakistan Taliban is part of a terrorist syndicate that is directed, funded, inspired by al Qaida, and it will not be sufficient to achieve the level of security the Pakistanis deserve, if we don’t go after those who are still threatening not only Pakistan, but Afghanistan and the rest of the world.”At the same time, Clinton said, she understood the priority of the Pakistani government in going after the enemies who most directly threaten them. ”And I understand that priority. I mean, I think any country would do the same”, she added.
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