Washington:
President Obama has spelt out America's new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan after holding a series of review meetings to discuss threadbare the situation in the region.
Announcing a surge of 30,000 troops in Afghanistan, Obama said the stakes are even higher in Pakistan as its nuclear weapons are constantly in danger of falling into the hands of terror groups like the al-Qaeda.
Speaking at New York's Military Academy, President Obama said the cancer of terrorism has spread from Afghanistan to Pakistan and the entire region is now the epicentre of terror.
He also said that Headley and Rana, the two terror suspects who are in FBI custody, were sent from this region to commit new acts of terror.
US President Barack Obama said that the cancer of violent extremism has taken roots in the border region of Pakistan and argued the need for the US and its allies to successfully treat it.
"We are in Afghanistan to prevent a cancer from once again spreading through that country. But this same cancer has also taken root in the border region of Pakistan. That is why we need a strategy that works on both sides of the border," Obama said at the West Point Military Academy in New York.
"In the past, there have been those in Pakistan who have argued that the struggle against extremism is not their fight, and that Pakistan is better off doing little or seeking accommodation with those who use violence," he said.
But in recent years, as innocents have been killed from Karachi to Islamabad, it has become clear that it is the Pakistani people who are the most endangered by extremism. "Public opinion has turned."
"The Pakistani Army has waged an offensive in Swat and South Waziristan. And there is no doubt that the United States and Pakistan share a common enemy," he argued.
Obama said the US was committed to a partnership with Pakistan that is built on a foundation of mutual interests, mutual respect, and mutual trust.
We will strengthen Pakistan's capacity to target those groups that threaten our countries, and have made it clear that we cannot tolerate a safe-haven for terrorists whose location is known, and whose intentions are clear," Obama said.
"America is also providing substantial resources to support Pakistan's democracy and development. We are the largest international supporter for those Pakistanis displaced
by the fighting.
"And going forward, the Pakistani people must know: America will remain a strong supporter of Pakistan's security and prosperity long after the guns have fallen silent, so that the great potential of its people can be unleashed," he said.
An effective partnership with Pakistan, Obama said is one of the three core strategies of his administration along with a military effort to create the conditions for a transition; a civilian surge that reinforces positive action. He said defeated by the US-led international forces in
Afghanistan, the Al Qaeda leaders have established a safe haven in Pakistan.
"After escaping across the border into Pakistan in 2001 and 2002, al Qaeda's leadership established a safe-haven there," Obama said.
Al-Qaeda have established a safe haven in Pakistan
Defeated by the US-led international forces in Afghanistan, the al-Qaeda leaders have
established a safe haven in Pakistan, President Barack Obama has said.
"After escaping across the border into Pakistan in 2001 and 2002, al Qaeda's leadership established a safe-haven there," Obama said in his Afghan-policy speech at the West
Point Military Academy in New York.
Although a legitimate government was elected by the Afghan people, it has been hampered by corruption, the drug trade, an under-developed economy, and insufficient Security Forces, he said.
"Over the last several years, Taliban has maintained common cause with al Qaeda, as they both seek an overthrow of the Afghan government. Gradually, the Taliban has begun to take control over swaths of Afghanistan, while engaging in increasingly brazen and devastating acts of terrorism against the Pakistani people," the US President said.
Shortly after taking office, Obama said he approved a long-standing request for more troops.
"After consultations with our allies, I then announced a strategy recognising the fundamental connection between our war effort in Afghanistan, and the extremist safe-havens in Pakistan.
"I set a goal that was narrowly defined as disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al Qaeda and its extremist allies, and pledged to better coordinate our military and civilian effort," Obama said, adding since then, the US has made progress on some important objectives.
"High-ranking al Qaeda and Taliban leaders have been killed, and we have stepped up the pressure on al Qaeda world-wide," he said.
"In Pakistan, that nation's Army has gone on its largest offensive in years. In Afghanistan, we and our allies prevented the Taliban from stopping a presidential election, and it was marred by fraud that election produced a government that is consistent with Afghanistan's laws and
Constitution," he said.
After 9/11, Obama said, within a matter of months, al Qaeda was scattered and many of its operatives were killed. "The Taliban was driven from power and pushed back on its heels. A place that had known decades of fear now had reason to hope," he said.
Obama promises continued assistance to Pakistan
US President Barack Obama has promised continued assistance to Pakistan in its fight against violent extremism, the White House said.
The message was conveyed by Obama directly to his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, while his briefing about his new Af-Pak policy last morning over telephone.
"The two Presidents agreed that the close partnership between Pakistan and the United States is vital to success, and President Obama promised to continue to assist Pakistan in its efforts against extremists," the White House said in a statement.
"The President also recognised the profound sacrifices Pakistan has made in its efforts to combat extremists in its northwest and emphasised that our goal is to defeat al-Qaida and to ensure stability in the region," the White House said.
The two leaders discussed the President's decision on the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the statement said. (With PTI inputs)
Announcing a surge of 30,000 troops in Afghanistan, Obama said the stakes are even higher in Pakistan as its nuclear weapons are constantly in danger of falling into the hands of terror groups like the al-Qaeda.
Speaking at New York's Military Academy, President Obama said the cancer of terrorism has spread from Afghanistan to Pakistan and the entire region is now the epicentre of terror.
He also said that Headley and Rana, the two terror suspects who are in FBI custody, were sent from this region to commit new acts of terror.
US President Barack Obama said that the cancer of violent extremism has taken roots in the border region of Pakistan and argued the need for the US and its allies to successfully treat it.
"We are in Afghanistan to prevent a cancer from once again spreading through that country. But this same cancer has also taken root in the border region of Pakistan. That is why we need a strategy that works on both sides of the border," Obama said at the West Point Military Academy in New York.
"In the past, there have been those in Pakistan who have argued that the struggle against extremism is not their fight, and that Pakistan is better off doing little or seeking accommodation with those who use violence," he said.
But in recent years, as innocents have been killed from Karachi to Islamabad, it has become clear that it is the Pakistani people who are the most endangered by extremism. "Public opinion has turned."
"The Pakistani Army has waged an offensive in Swat and South Waziristan. And there is no doubt that the United States and Pakistan share a common enemy," he argued.
Obama said the US was committed to a partnership with Pakistan that is built on a foundation of mutual interests, mutual respect, and mutual trust.
We will strengthen Pakistan's capacity to target those groups that threaten our countries, and have made it clear that we cannot tolerate a safe-haven for terrorists whose location is known, and whose intentions are clear," Obama said.
"America is also providing substantial resources to support Pakistan's democracy and development. We are the largest international supporter for those Pakistanis displaced
by the fighting.
"And going forward, the Pakistani people must know: America will remain a strong supporter of Pakistan's security and prosperity long after the guns have fallen silent, so that the great potential of its people can be unleashed," he said.
An effective partnership with Pakistan, Obama said is one of the three core strategies of his administration along with a military effort to create the conditions for a transition; a civilian surge that reinforces positive action. He said defeated by the US-led international forces in
Afghanistan, the Al Qaeda leaders have established a safe haven in Pakistan.
"After escaping across the border into Pakistan in 2001 and 2002, al Qaeda's leadership established a safe-haven there," Obama said.
Al-Qaeda have established a safe haven in Pakistan
Defeated by the US-led international forces in Afghanistan, the al-Qaeda leaders have
established a safe haven in Pakistan, President Barack Obama has said.
"After escaping across the border into Pakistan in 2001 and 2002, al Qaeda's leadership established a safe-haven there," Obama said in his Afghan-policy speech at the West
Point Military Academy in New York.
Although a legitimate government was elected by the Afghan people, it has been hampered by corruption, the drug trade, an under-developed economy, and insufficient Security Forces, he said.
"Over the last several years, Taliban has maintained common cause with al Qaeda, as they both seek an overthrow of the Afghan government. Gradually, the Taliban has begun to take control over swaths of Afghanistan, while engaging in increasingly brazen and devastating acts of terrorism against the Pakistani people," the US President said.
Shortly after taking office, Obama said he approved a long-standing request for more troops.
"After consultations with our allies, I then announced a strategy recognising the fundamental connection between our war effort in Afghanistan, and the extremist safe-havens in Pakistan.
"I set a goal that was narrowly defined as disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al Qaeda and its extremist allies, and pledged to better coordinate our military and civilian effort," Obama said, adding since then, the US has made progress on some important objectives.
"High-ranking al Qaeda and Taliban leaders have been killed, and we have stepped up the pressure on al Qaeda world-wide," he said.
"In Pakistan, that nation's Army has gone on its largest offensive in years. In Afghanistan, we and our allies prevented the Taliban from stopping a presidential election, and it was marred by fraud that election produced a government that is consistent with Afghanistan's laws and
Constitution," he said.
After 9/11, Obama said, within a matter of months, al Qaeda was scattered and many of its operatives were killed. "The Taliban was driven from power and pushed back on its heels. A place that had known decades of fear now had reason to hope," he said.
Obama promises continued assistance to Pakistan
US President Barack Obama has promised continued assistance to Pakistan in its fight against violent extremism, the White House said.
The message was conveyed by Obama directly to his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, while his briefing about his new Af-Pak policy last morning over telephone.
"The two Presidents agreed that the close partnership between Pakistan and the United States is vital to success, and President Obama promised to continue to assist Pakistan in its efforts against extremists," the White House said in a statement.
"The President also recognised the profound sacrifices Pakistan has made in its efforts to combat extremists in its northwest and emphasised that our goal is to defeat al-Qaida and to ensure stability in the region," the White House said.
The two leaders discussed the President's decision on the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the statement said. (With PTI inputs)
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