US backs Waziristan offensive

The United States on Monday said it is supportive of Pakistan's military campaign to stamp out terrorists in South Waziristan as it acknowledged a "real commitment" demonstrated by thekey South Asian ally in fighting off militants in its nowrthestern areas along the Afghan border.
State Department Spokesman Ian Kellly said the United States and Pakistan share the goal to fight terrorism and that Washington backs the Pakistani anti-terror efforts in the tribal areas since it sees a"continuum" between Pakistani border areas and Afghanistan.
"We have a shared goal and the shared goal is fighting violent extremism this operation is designed toput these guys out of business and we support that," he told the daily briefing , while commenting on Pakistan's prioritising its combat against militants who threaten its own stability.
The spokesman said he was not aware of reports suggesting that prior to launch of its military foray into South Waziristan, Pakistan had assured some militants groups that it would not target them.
Kelly spoke in the backdrop of some US media reports that claimed Islamabad fights only those terrorists that pose threat to the Pakistani stability and questioned the efficacy and impact of Pakistani South Waziristan offensive on the overall fight against militants in the region.
Questioned pointedly as to how crucial the current Pakistani operation is to the overall anti-terror efforts in the region, the spokesman replied.
"This is part of an overall offensive that we have seen the government of Pakistan conduct. We saw the operation in the Swat valley earlier, we recognise that these are very difficult operations in a very difficult terrain and , of course, the concerns for the civilian population are paramount in all our minds."
"We see what is happening in this part of Pakistan,beingvery much part of what is happening inAfghanistan. So one of the major reasons that we are supporting these efforts is to help us reach success in Afghanistan as well."
In answer to a question the spokesman clarified that the United States is not asking Pakistan to fight side by side with it confronting the extremist threat on it soil and that Pakistan itself has moved stronglyagainst extremist elements recently.
"We are offering to partner with them as they deal with extremist elements within their borders and I think within the last six months or so we have seen a real commitment on part of the government of Pakistan toconfront head on militarily these elements within their borders. Responding to a question if Pakistan could face a deteriorating situation to the extent where the country could revert to the military rule, the spokesman voiced United States' full faith in the elected Pakistanigovernment and supports its democratic endeavors.
"We have full faith in the government of Pakistan. I think they turned a corner as well in their democratic development and we support them in their efforts."
In reply to another question on the recent wave of bombings in Pakistan, the spokesman said the challenge from extremists on Pakistani soil requires a Pakistani solution. "This is a challenge for Pakistan which should have a Pakistani solution. We share these goals.