The United States on Friday underlined the need for launching a military operation in North Waziristan against extremist safe havens as early as possible. However, it entrusted the decision-making power to Pakistan Army, admitting it had capacity issues.
Sharing the findings of the 'Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review', outlined by President Obama on Thursday, the American Ambassador in Pakistan, Cameron Munter, appreciated Pakistan military's contribution in the war against terror, and acknowledged the fact that the army did not have the capacity to launch an operation in North Waziristan at this juncture. However, he had 'no comments' on the drone attacks as per policy.
"We believe that efforts made by Pakistani military are very significant and there are lots of troops fighting terrorism and the decision when to launch operation in North Waziristan would be taken by the Pakistan Army," he said. When asked about any change in its drone attack policy since Islamabad has been urging the US for a review, as these attacks are counterproductive, the Ambassador refused to comment on the issue.
He said that U S is steadfast in its long-term commitment to an enduring partnership with Pakistan, supportive of its interests with the Obama Administration noting "significant progress" in dismantling al Qaeda along Pakistan's Afghan border.
Regarding Washington's reservation about a civil nuclear deal between China and Pakistan, Munter said: "We would like China and other countries of Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) to abide by its rules". He said that stability of the government was a question to be dealt with by Pakistan itself, and added that all elements in Pakistan are committed to strengthening the democratic institutions, and the difference of opinion within the coalition partners must be worked out in a democratic and constitutional way. He said: "We are confident that it will happen".
Referring to trust deficit between Pakistan and United State, the Ambassador said that efforts are being made to reduce this deficit, and added that 'we are committed to a democratic Pakistan". Both countries are co-operating in different fields, including education, and the US is the biggest ever contributor in the education sector in Pakistan, he claimed.
"We believe our renewed bilateral partnership is helping promote stability in Pakistan and it clearly communicates US commitment to a long-term relationship that is supportive of Pakistan's interests, and underscores the fact that we will not disengage from the region as we have in the past," he added.
Munter said that America will seek to secure the interests of the two countries through continued robust counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency co-operation and a long-term partnership anchored by improved understanding of Pakistan's strategic priorities, increased civilian and military assistance, and expanded public diplomacy.
When asked to draw a comparison regarding achievements of Pakistan and Nato forces on the two sides of the border, he said Pakistan has deployed 140,000 troops--more than America has in Afghanistan--and Pakistani troops have taken thousands of causalities. Efforts are being made on both sides of the border to kill or capture terrorists but still there is more to be done, he added.
Commenting on trade agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said, "There is need to have more border co-ordination for better transit trade with better customs co-operation, movement of trucks and more co-ordination between the two countries".
The ambassador said he hoped that by 2014 Afghan forces and police would be able to take the responsibility of security in their country. "We are not saying that we will withdraw from Afghanistan but rather that our role would change and focus would shift towards social, political and economic uplift," he added.
The envoy said Pakistan has legitimate security interest and it should be recognised in the reconciliation process led by Afghan leadership. He said there has been significant progress in disrupting and dismantling the leadership and cadre of al Qaeda over the past year.
According to Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review, the core goal of US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan theatre remains 'to disrupt, dismantle, and eventually defeat al Qaeda in the region and to prevent its return to either country'. "Pakistan is central to our efforts to defeat al Qaeda and prevent its return to the region".
A press release from the US Embassy adds: The review also highlights particular areas in our strategy for Pakistan that require adjustment. Specific components of the strategy, taken individually, indicate we are headed in the right direction, both in terms of US focus and Pakistani co-operation. However, better balance and integration of the various components of our strategy will be required to reach our objectives. For instance, the denial of extremist safe havens will require greater co-operation with Pakistan along the border with Afghanistan.
Furthermore, the denial of extremist safe havens cannot be achieved through military means alone, but must continue to be advanced by effective development strategies. The Afghanistan and Pakistan Annual Review was directed by President Obama in December 2009 to be a National Security Staff (NSS)-led assessment of US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.