Deputy Executive Director of 9/11 commission Christopher Kojm said on Thursday that the war on terrorism was the "number one priority" of the United States, and added that Pakistan's co-operation in the fight was essential.
"We've got a huge interest in Pakistan," he said in response to a question, adding the Commission strongly believed in supporting Pakistan, which was an ally in the war on terrorism.
Kojm testified in the second panel before the House Committee on International Relations chaired by Vice Chairman, Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey), in the first panel, on examining recommendations made by 9/11 Commission-State Department and counter-terrorism.
He said the relationship with Pakistan had in the past been complex and problematic.
Responding to a question by Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) Kojm said, the Commission in its recommendation had been specific suggesting no conditionality to be put on Pakistan in respect of the multi-year three billion-dollar assistance package to Pakistan.
Menendez said President General Pervez Musharraf was the best friend. The terrorists, he said, had tried to harm him more than once.
He also referred to Dr Khan international nuclear network, President Mushaffar's vision of enlightened moderation and democratic order in Pakistan. He viewed that aid to Pakistan should be conditional.
Kojm said the US was not in favour of moderate government being replaced by radicals. Pakistan was high on the Secretary of State's agenda, he added.
The 9/11 Commission, he said, recommended that for sustaining the current scale of aid to Pakistan, the US should support Pakistan in its struggle against extremists that extended from military aid to support for better education, so long as Pakistan's leaders remain willing to make difficult choices of their own."
He also referred to the vision of 'enlightened moderation' espoused by President Musharraf, and the remarks of the Commission that "the US should be willing to make hard choices too, and make the difficult long-term commitment to the future of Pakistan." Christopher Kojm made a mention of democracy, fight against terrorism and modern education system.
In the matter of 'sanctuaries,' Kojm said the 9/11 Commission identified three countries ie Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, whose co-operation was essential to deny the terrorists any "safe havens."
He viewed that Taleban were out of power, but it was still present with its supporters, "and it's still a threat to Karzai government. There is presence of powerful war lords, there is vastness of opium growing areas, rampant poverty, etc."
The Congressmen attending the proceedings of the Committee included Brad Sherman, Mike Pence, Jim Leach, Betty McCollum, and Mark Green.
Mark Green raised the issue of poppy cultivation and drug trafficking in Afghanistan.
To a question by Jim Leach, he referred to February 29, 1989 'fatwa' of Osama Bin Ladin in which he spoke of vacation of Holy lands, and hostility towards America- "it's part political and part religions.
Responding to a question by Betty McCollum, Kojm said in the ongoing war on terror, the US could not succeed without profound interaction and support of the international partners. "We cannot do it alone," he said, adding, "success requires building of alliances," which were based on trust and co-operation.
Kojm said the US Secretary of State and director of intelligence remained continuously engaged in dialogue and seeking response from the international partners, adding the enemies wanted to destroy us. He laid stress on secular and modern education, and added, "you need a balanced strategy."
On ' Madressah' education, he said, due to abject poverty, the parents did not have any choice, adding it was important to give them more opportunities.
In response to a question, he laid stress on the need to engage in dialogue with Arab and Muslim countries.
Susan Ginsburg, the chief investigator of the Commission team charged with examining policy with regard to the issuance of visas and securing the US borders also testified before the hearing and said the al Qaeda placed heavy emphasis on studying visa and immigration policies and forging documents.
Ginsburg also testified that work must be done to better train State Department personnel charged with issuing visa applications; and personnel reviewing travel documents so they know how to spot either forged or manipulated documents.
Chairman Smith said: "September 11 wasn't the start - but rather the escalation of a war on Americans and others of good will.
He said, "We are at war, but with a new and far different enemy than any we have previously encountered. Our enemies are unlikely to be vanquished in any traditional sense of achieving their surrender. In fact, there may never be an end to this conflict, never an end to the need for eternal vigilance, pre-emption and vigorous application of all measures within our capabilities."
"In the war on transnational terrorism, the front-line is not necessarily on the battlefield. That responsibility is distributed widely with a strong focus at the State Department; and it must embrace the entirety of our interests both domestic and foreign," Smith said.
Kojm echoed Chairman Smith's comments about the role of the State Department in fighting terrorism, saying, " Foreign policy is a crucial element of our national security effort against terrorism."
He went on to say that the threat today is not a military superpower as it was during the Cold War, but rather "an idea that emanated 19 young men to kill themselves, and inflict great harm on us."
During the questioning period, Smith also focused on the commission's call to establish a body or vehicle to foster dialogue between the western and Arab worlds.
"The 9/11 Commission suggests that the US more effectively engage in the struggle of ideas. Misinformation, gross distortion, and demonisation of the US need an immediate, rigorous, laser-like response. If we let the lies and hate stick by not responding robustly, we unwittingly permit the next generation to grow the hatred," Smith said.
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