Hitting out at Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama for his rhetoric on pursuing terrorists on Pakistani territory, Republican candidate John McCain has instead urged strengthening the anti-terror partner and convincing the Pakistanis that the fight against terrorism is their fight too. The seasoned senator also voiced support for the new Pakistani government as he emphasised Pakistan's importance for a regional US strategy.
"We must empower the new civilian government of Pakistan to defeat radicalism with greater support for development, health, and education". Senator Obama has spoken in public about taking unilateral military action in Pakistan. McCain also indicated his support for the new government's policy to engage local tribesmen in isolating violent extremists.
"A special focus of our regional strategy must be Pakistan. As you know the political situation in Pakistan is very unsettled. And terrorists today enjoy sanctuary. This must end. "We must strengthen local tribes in the border areas who are willing to fight the foreign terrorists there. That's the same strategy that we use successfully in Anbar and elsewhere in Iraq.
We must convince the Pakistanis that this is their war as much as it is ours." As commander in chief, McCain said, he would make sure that terror operatives have no place to hide. "And I want to assure you, you can have complete confidence that I will get Osama Bin Laden and bring him to justice. I will do that."