Pak action "positive" but more needs to be done: US

Washington, Dec 12 (PTI) Terming the crackdown in
Pakistan on radical elements as a "positive step," the US has
emphasised that more needs to be done to prevent any future
terrorist attacks.

"... we think Pakistan has taken some important steps.
Let's make sure that everything is done to prevent any future
terrorist attacks. Ultimately the people responsible (for the
Mumbai attacks) have to be brought to justice," state
department spokesman Sean McCormack said in comments on the
banning of Jamaat-ud-Dawa.

McCormack said that Washington will continue to work
with both parties (India and Pakistan) on the issue. But he
declined to comment on India's observation that Islamabad is
not doing enough.

He was asked to comment on whether Pakistan will
follow the UN ban on Jamat-ud-Dawa, the front organisation of
Lashker-e-Taiba blamed for the November 26 attacks, given that
similar measures earlier against the LeT did not hold for
long.

"... we'll let the Pakistani government speak on their
actions. But certainly, I've seen news reports that they have
made that announcement. And certainly that would be a positive
step," McCormack replied.

When further queried on Indian External Affairs
Minister Pranab Mukherjee's charge that Pakistan is "not doing
enough" by refusing to extradite some wanted terrorists and
criminals sought by it, he said: "I'm not going to offer any
particular options. I think I've outlined in principle how we
see things".

The spokesman said the US has not given any specific
directions to the Pakistan government on actions to be taken
by it against terrorist elements emanating from its soil.

"We haven't made any specific prescriptions. We've
talked in general terms and in terms of principle about those
responsible being held to account and facing justice.

"The Pakistani government has demonstrated -- it has
acted on what we think are good instincts in terms of going
after some of these individuals and extremist groups, and
we'll see what the next steps are. Ultimately, they're going
to be the decisions-makers, but we can certainly make clear
our views as well as others who can make clear their views,"
McCormack said.

When asked whether house arrest of JuD chief Hafiz
Mohammed Saeed is an eye-wash tactic, the spokesman said,
"right now, just as a matter of principle, our concern is
that any individual (should) not be able to participate in any
planning of violent acts and that in as much as one possibly
can learn information that would help prevent future attacks."
PTI