Top diplomat in Islamabad after expressing U.S. condolences in India
 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talks to the media Thursday in Islamabad before leaving Pakistan. |
Pakistan's young civilian government, she said after talks with Pakistani leaders, is very committed to the war against terrorism and does not want to be associated with terrorist elements.
The United States is increasing pressure on Pakistan's shaky government, sending two top officials to Islamabad in as many days to insist that Pakistan hide nothing about the origins of a terrorist attack in Mumbai that India has blamed squarely on Pakistani militants.
She said that in her meetings with officials "I have found a Pakistani government that is focused on the threat and understands its responsibilities to respond to terrorism and extremism" wherever it is found.
Pakistan 'very committed'
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari told Rice he will take "strong action" against elements in his country that were involved in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. A presidential statement said Zardari also repeated a promise to help investigate the attacks and said Pakistan was determined to ensure its territory is not used for any act of terrorism.
Rice talked about the importance of Pakistan dealing with those "who may use Pakistani territory even if they are not state actors. And I found a Pakistani leadership that is very focused and I think very committed for its own reasons."
She said Pakistan would investigate the situation with Mumbai "because the Pakistani government, I was told and I fully believe, is very committed to this war on terror, does not in any way want to be associated with terrorist elements and is indeed fighting to root them out wherever they find them." She said her talks in Pakistan have been "quite satisfactory."
After expressing U.S. condolences for the more than 170 deaths in India, Rice flew to Pakistan for the meetings with civilian and military leaders. The United States wants broader sharing of intelligence and a commitment by Pakistan to root out terror groups that have found a comfortable perch in the Muslim country.
Zardari, who has vowed full cooperation with India, told Rice in Islamabad that the attacks were a chance to strengthen efforts against terrorism. "We are looking at this as an opportunity and I intend to do everything in my power," Zardari said.
"I think it's clear that Pakistan is fighting this fight against terrorists ... We are all of one group, all of us," Rice said.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment