RAWALPINDI: US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said on Monday that Pakistan had to take the decision whether ‘we can take joint action against terrorism’.
Answering a question in Geo News programme ‘Aaj Kamran Khan Kay Sath’, he said: “It was important for us that we hunt down number 2, 3, 4, or 5 of (the al-Qeada) who are not only a challenge to our security, but also to out common values”.
He was asked whether Pakistan should be ready for another Abbottabad-like strike if such information was received about Ayman Al-Zawahiri or Mullah Omar.Cameron Munter said: “Our targets against terrorists are common. This cooperation will be done from every level, whether it is Pakistan or America, so that we both chase the people who are causing problems for both nations”.
“We are committed to the fight against terrorism. Our friends in Pakistan are committed to do exactly the same thing. The decision from Pakistan has to be ‘can we do this together, can we work together, as we should, as we both are committed. I think it can happen’,” Cameron said when asked about any possible Abbottabad-like strike in Pakistan to hunt Zawahiri or Mullah Omar.
To another question, he said: “There is a similarity in the public opinion in Pakistan and the United States. Both of them want answers. Both of them want to know from Pakistani leadership tough questions as whether the Pakistani leadership knew about Osama being here and if not than why not. These kinds of questions need to be answered. I and national are hopeful that instead of a challenge, it is an opportunity”.
“I hope to work together as we decide to work together. Healthy debate takes place in Pakistan about how we can and should cooperate,” he said, adding: “We should work together to hunt down the people who are challenging our safety. We are facing common challenges”. Admitting Pakistan’s leading role in war against terrorism, the US ambassador said Pakistan had paid heavy price in war against terrorism.
Kamran Khan said it is not the first occasion that the US has violated Pakistan’s territorial boundary. It continued last year as well as this year and the US research organisations and experts say that if the senior leadership of terrorists is kept in view, the outcome of the ongoing drone attacks on Pakistan are very limited, as only two percent of the people on the most-wanted list of the US were killed in these attacks last year. These attacks are going on. Some extremists are being killed but innocent men, women, children and elderly are falling prey to these attacks. What would the US want to say to the heirs of these innocent people who are daily becoming target of these attacks?
Cameron Munter said he would not make any statement on the intelligence issue and would only say that they are fighting terrorism in their own way. He said they invite the Pakistanis to hold an open debate based on facts as to how it could be made more result-oriented.
Kamran Khan said besides this, the US is doing it and people within the US also question that the US planes intrude into the Pakistani airspace, mount attack and the intensity thereof has increased during the last three years. Only a few attacks were carried out from 2001 to 2008 but the drone attacks increased to extreme level after a democratic government took charge. One hundred and eighteen drone attacks occurred during the last year alone while only 33 attacks were carried in 2008. At least two drone attacks are being carried in Pakistan weekly.
Pakistani parliament unanimously passed a resolution against the drone attacks wherein the US was requested and stressed upon to stop these attacks but the US is not listening. Is it tantamount to a warning to the democracy and elected parliament of Pakistan?
Cameron Munter said he held talks during the last six months with the Pakistanis whom he considers his friend and these six months were witnessed very important happenings. He said he did not get anything except candid and truth-based advice and now he would like to give a similar advice. The issue being faced by Pakistan is internal debate about the future of Pakistan. It is very useful and he would appreciate the media people including Kamran Khan, who posed tough questions. He said he would like to refer to an interview of a very wise Pakistani as to why the path of the countries like Malaysia is not adopted and that wise Pakistani was Kamran Khan. “The question is as to where we are heading to and this is the question that in my view does not need to be told.”
Kamran Khan said but an important ally like the US and such a big democracy is not heeding to an elected parliament. He said he meant that there should be some room and not this that in his view only he [Munter] is correct. The voice of Pakistani people should also be heard. If they ask to kindly spare them, they should be heard and any room would have to be created.
Cameron Munter said they are listening and in his view the answer to the thoughts in the minds of Pakistanis is further dialogue. There should be high-level talks. The meetings like the one General [Ahmed Shuja] Pasha had with Leon Panetta on April 11 should and hopefully their senior people would come to talk to Pakistanis but it would be part of a broad-based talks wherein Pakistan would talk to them on the decisions to jointly work in the war against terrorism.
Quoting Senator John Kerry that the US government would interrogate Raymond Davis, who had killed two Pakistanis in Lahore, Kamran Khan asked where is Raymond Davis and where does the investigation reach?
Cameron Munter said the investigation is still continuing as promised by Senator Kerry and the words of Senator Kerry have much important. He said they need few answers from the Pakistan government after the killing of Osama. How can we work jointly? How can we go along and can build confidence? The answer of Pakistani leadership is awaited.
Kamran Khan asked as to where is the vehicle and driver who crushed an innocent Pakistan while rushing from the wrong direction?
Cameron Munter said they are investigating the matter and are in touch with the Pakistan government. About the fears that the US would withdraw from Afghanistan leaving behind problems for Pakistan, he said it is a legitimate fear but Pakistanis should believe in two things: the US is not leaving Afghanistan and they have made pledge for progress of the two countries, as the two are their friends. He said they hope that with the end to terrorism, the US presence would be directed to common people, business, culture and education more than the military. He said they are very happy with Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
About the US assistance for Pakistan, Cameron Munter said they would have to accept the criticism in this regard as it is from friends and has truth. He said the pace of work is slow and further hard work is needed for better assistance. He said they spent $1.7 billion in Pakistan last year for prosperity of people. He said Pakistan did not need long-term assistance but a strong economy and they want to work on the reconstruction opportunity zones. He said the work on legislation in this regard is going on and he admits that it has been delayed much but efforts are going on.
About the US demands with regard to North Waziristan and Haqqani Network, the US ambassador said if Pakistan would have a snake in the sleeve it would bite it.
Source: The News
Date:5/10/2011
