ID :
101994
Sat, 01/23/2010 - 13:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/101994
The shortlink copeid
Pakistan-India-Afghanistan must defeat terrorists: Gates
Islamabad, Jan 23, IRNA -- U.S. Defence Secretary, Robert Gates said that Pakistan, India and Afghanistan have a huge stake to defeat terrorists and extremists for stabilization in region.
Gates told Pakistan’s state radio that the three countries with greater cooperation and partnership will root out the menace.
To a question about the civilian causalities in Afghanistan, he told Radio Pakistan that new U.S. policy focuses more on protecting the people in Afghanistan and there has been massive reduction in civilian causalities there in recent times.
He said that according to the independent reviews, the large number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan was caused by the Taliban.
Responding to a question regarding the US-India defense cooperation, Gates said, “we are very judicious in the sale of systems to India and have provided it with cargo aircraft but not the weapons system”. He said that arrangements have also been reached to provide F-16s to Pakistan.
He said the US is providing the defense equipment to both countries on equitable basis and making careful decisions in terms of what is being offered to both.
Gates also said that there are probably no other providers of military equipment that have a judicious approach in terms of trying not to destabilize the military relationship in the sub-continent.
He praised Pakistan's role in the war against extremism and militancy, saying it has been able to take decisive action against the threat to its security over the past fifteen months.
The US offcial said that Pakistan's armed forces are engaged at its western borders in fighting out the enemies and assured that his country will continue providing full support for Pakistan to root out the menace.
He said that the US President Barack Obama is clearly interested in building and enduring relationship with a democratic government of Pakistan and "the key lies in looking forward and not backward."
About the screening of Pakistani citizens at the US airports, he said, Pakistan has not been singled out at all as there are a number of countries identified for enhanced screening. He however said that the screening was not meant to offend the Pakistani citizens.
Gates said that Pakistan and the United States have common enemies and both countries have to fight jointly to overcome those enemies./end
Gates told Pakistan’s state radio that the three countries with greater cooperation and partnership will root out the menace.
To a question about the civilian causalities in Afghanistan, he told Radio Pakistan that new U.S. policy focuses more on protecting the people in Afghanistan and there has been massive reduction in civilian causalities there in recent times.
He said that according to the independent reviews, the large number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan was caused by the Taliban.
Responding to a question regarding the US-India defense cooperation, Gates said, “we are very judicious in the sale of systems to India and have provided it with cargo aircraft but not the weapons system”. He said that arrangements have also been reached to provide F-16s to Pakistan.
He said the US is providing the defense equipment to both countries on equitable basis and making careful decisions in terms of what is being offered to both.
Gates also said that there are probably no other providers of military equipment that have a judicious approach in terms of trying not to destabilize the military relationship in the sub-continent.
He praised Pakistan's role in the war against extremism and militancy, saying it has been able to take decisive action against the threat to its security over the past fifteen months.
The US offcial said that Pakistan's armed forces are engaged at its western borders in fighting out the enemies and assured that his country will continue providing full support for Pakistan to root out the menace.
He said that the US President Barack Obama is clearly interested in building and enduring relationship with a democratic government of Pakistan and "the key lies in looking forward and not backward."
About the screening of Pakistani citizens at the US airports, he said, Pakistan has not been singled out at all as there are a number of countries identified for enhanced screening. He however said that the screening was not meant to offend the Pakistani citizens.
Gates said that Pakistan and the United States have common enemies and both countries have to fight jointly to overcome those enemies./end
