PR. No.185/2007
Date: 20/07/2007
PAKISTAN'S REACTION TO US STATEMENTS
There have been comments recently by US officials
that in the hypothetical situation of “actionable targets”
on the Pakistan side of Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the US
did not rule out any options including striking such targets.
Certain elements in the US media have also urged military
action against supposed Al-Qaeda safe haven in the tribal
areas of Pakistan.
Such comments and calls are irresponsible
and dangerous. First and foremost, Pakistan is combating extremism
and terrorism in its own national interest. Secondly, Pakistan
and the United States are partners in the international campaign
against terrorism. Our cooperation and close coordination
has yielded concrete results in terms of the disruption of
Al-Qaeda and capture of its key leaders and operatives. Therefore,
it would be counterproductive to create an impression of any
divergences or differences on the issue of counter-terrorism.
Pakistan has been working resolutely to eliminate
the remnants of Al-Qaeda and other terrorist elements. Our
efforts and sacrifices in this endeavour are well-known. We
remain determined not to allow Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist
entity to establish a safe haven on our territory. We have
repeatedly made our position clear that whatever counter-terrorism
action is to be taken inside Pakistan, it will be taken by
our own security forces. This has been and remains the basis
of our cooperation with the US.
The success of the international community
in fighting terrorism depends essentially on cooperation,
including sharing of concrete and actionable information and
intelligence. We can not, nor should we be expected to take
indiscriminate action over a large territory without any precise
information about any Al-Qaeda or terrorist hideout.
Terrorism and extremism is a complex challenge.
Political analysts in the US understand the enormity and gravity
of the challenge as the US is also engaged in dealing with
it in Afghanistan and Iraq. Terrorism and extremism in our
region is a development of historical circumstances of nearly
three decades with roots in our neighbourhood that have spread
to our soil. Comments especially in the US media often betray
impatience disregarding the imperative of prudence and patience
which is necessary for the success of a comprehensive approach
required to deal with this global danger.
Islamabad
20 July 2007
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