ID :
13260
Mon, 07/21/2008 - 17:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/13260
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Pak govt should do more to stabilise Afghan border: Rice
Washington, July 21 (PTI) The United States has told Pakistan that it has to do "more" to stabilise its border with Afghanistan not only because of Washington's concerns but alsoto address the threat posed to Islamabad.
"It's very clear that more has to be done to stabilise that border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. More has to be done," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on the 'LateEdition' of CNN aired Sunday.
Asked if Pakistan is not doing enough, the top StateDepartment official once again said "more has to be done".
"... But more has to be done, not just because of Afghanistan's security, not just because of concerns about threats to American interests, but because of threats to Pakistan. We're talking about a place in which militants havekilled (former Pakistan premier) Benazir Bhutto.
"They've carried out attacks near the Red Mosque. They've carried out attacks on Pakistani soldiers and so Pakistan has a very strong stake in dealing with the places militants are able to gather, train and carry out their activities," Ricesaid.
The Secretary of State was also asked to comment on remarks by presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama that he will send at least two additional brigades to Afghanistan and use this commitment to see great contributions and fewerrestrictions from N.A.T.O. allies.
"... first of all, I'm not going to comment on what Senator Obama says... let me talk about the substance. The circumstance -- it's clear that we do need better action on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is also the case that the Taliban has come back somewhat stronger. But the Taliban is actually being defeated when they come back in asmilitary organisation.
"The problem is, that they've taken to acts of terrorism, which terrorises the population and make it difficult for the government to extend its writ into the more remote parts ofthe country," Rice replied.
She said a combination of military strategy, reconstruction, development and better governance in theseareas will help improve the situation in Afghanistan.
"And that's the strategy that we are pursuing. In terms of restrictions on N.A.T.O. forces, those have been droppingmore and more," she added.
"... it's going to be very difficult for some of ourN.A.T.O. forces -- our N.A.T.O. allies, to drop restrictions.
They also have parliamentary systems. They also have publics that have views about Afghanistan. We've worked on this issue very hard. Some have dropped caveats. I suspect that otherswill not," Rice said.
"It's very clear that more has to be done to stabilise that border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. More has to be done," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on the 'LateEdition' of CNN aired Sunday.
Asked if Pakistan is not doing enough, the top StateDepartment official once again said "more has to be done".
"... But more has to be done, not just because of Afghanistan's security, not just because of concerns about threats to American interests, but because of threats to Pakistan. We're talking about a place in which militants havekilled (former Pakistan premier) Benazir Bhutto.
"They've carried out attacks near the Red Mosque. They've carried out attacks on Pakistani soldiers and so Pakistan has a very strong stake in dealing with the places militants are able to gather, train and carry out their activities," Ricesaid.
The Secretary of State was also asked to comment on remarks by presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama that he will send at least two additional brigades to Afghanistan and use this commitment to see great contributions and fewerrestrictions from N.A.T.O. allies.
"... first of all, I'm not going to comment on what Senator Obama says... let me talk about the substance. The circumstance -- it's clear that we do need better action on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is also the case that the Taliban has come back somewhat stronger. But the Taliban is actually being defeated when they come back in asmilitary organisation.
"The problem is, that they've taken to acts of terrorism, which terrorises the population and make it difficult for the government to extend its writ into the more remote parts ofthe country," Rice replied.
She said a combination of military strategy, reconstruction, development and better governance in theseareas will help improve the situation in Afghanistan.
"And that's the strategy that we are pursuing. In terms of restrictions on N.A.T.O. forces, those have been droppingmore and more," she added.
"... it's going to be very difficult for some of ourN.A.T.O. forces -- our N.A.T.O. allies, to drop restrictions.
They also have parliamentary systems. They also have publics that have views about Afghanistan. We've worked on this issue very hard. Some have dropped caveats. I suspect that otherswill not," Rice said.
