Obama Says U.S. Will Consult With Pakistan on Terrorism Strikes

[tekisui]

Source: Bloomberg

March 30 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama said the U.S. will consult with Pakistan before raiding militant bases on Pakistani territory, as he called on leaders in Islamabad to be “much more accountable” in combating terrorism.

“If we have a high-value target within our sights, after consulting with Pakistan, we’re going after them,” Obama said in an interview on CBS television’s “Face the Nation” program yesterday. “But our main thrust has to be to help Pakistan defeat these extremists.”

The U.S. expects some accountability from Pakistan and its understanding of the “severity and the nature of the threat” from the terrorists.

Pakistan has told the U.S. it considers missile strikes on its territory counterproductive. The Pakistani government says it is doing all it can to combat militants and is pursuing a strategy of selective military action, coupled with political and economic development programs, to try to persuade tribal leaders to expel foreign fighters sheltering along the border with Afghanistan.

Thousands of Taliban and al-Qaeda members crossed into Pakistan’s tribal region after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001. The U.S. says al-Qaeda leaders have established bases in the area.

“Our plan does not change the recognition of Pakistan as a sovereign government,” Obama said in the interview taped on March 27. “We need to work with them and through them to deal with al-Qaeda. But we have to hold them much more accountable.”

more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aXjenV2CUO_Y&refer=home

[tekisui]

1. That, combined with this, make this Pakistan's problem to be solved:

US won't hunt militants over Pakistan border: Obama

WASHINGTON (AFP) — President Barack Obama ruled out sending US troops on a hot pursuit of extremists across the Afghan border into Pakistan -- but demanded Islamabad hold up its end of the anti-terror struggle.

Referring to US missile strikes on militants, Obama said in a television interview: "If we have a high-value target within our sights, after consulting with Pakistan, we're going after them."

But asked on CBS program "Face the Nation" if he would order US troops on the ground into militant safe havens inside Pakistan, Obama stressed: "No.

"Our plan does not change the recognition of Pakistan as a sovereign government," he said. "We need to work with them and through them to deal with Al-Qaeda. But we have to hold them much more accountable."

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