WASHINGTON, March 7: Pakistan remains a key US partner in the war on terror and its military is playing an important role in providing intelligence and support to the forces of the US-coalition in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said here.
The US Defence Department’s statement, issued in Washington days after President Bush returned from a landmark visit to South Asia, tries to dispel the impression that the US was unhappy with Pakistan’s role in quelling an insurgency in Afghanistan.
Last month, the Afghan government leaked an intelligence report to the Western media saying that Pakistan had provided sanctuary to Taliban and Al Qaeda insurgents and was also allowing them to carry out cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.
In an interview with CNN on Sunday, President Pervez Musharraf rejected the Afghan intelligence report as “nonsensical accusations” and complained of a “conspiracy going on against Pakistan in [Mr Karzai’s] ministry of defence and his intelligence set-up.”
Later, at a meeting with senior Pakistani journalists in Rawalpindi on Monday, President Musharraf said that he had not only rejected Afghan accusations as false when he met Mr Bush but also had given him a copy of a classified document detailing Afghanistan’s involvement in Pakistan’s internal affairs.
Seen against this backdrop, the US Defence Department’s statement not only shows that America is worried about this bitterness between two of its key allies in the war on terror – Pakistan and Afghanistan – but also appreciates the role Pakistan is playing in curbing terrorism.
“The defence relationship between the United States and Pakistan is a critical element of the war on terror, and a key component of the security and stability of South Asia,” the Pentagon said.
It noted that since 2001, the United States and Pakistan had been working to build a strong and enduring defence relationship, “which supports our common interests in fighting the war on terror, building a stable and democratic Afghanistan and maintaining peace and stability in the region”.
Describing Pakistan as a key partner in the war on terror, the Pentagon notes that “Pakistan supports US military operations in Afghanistan and roots out terrorists and their allies in the border region”.
The Pentagon also pointed out that Pakistan’s military and security services had conducted operations in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, and had killed or captured hundreds of terrorists.
“Pakistan’s military is also playing an important role by providing intelligence and support to coalition forces operating on the Afghan side of the border.”
Reiterating America’s commitment to a “long-term partnership” with Pakistan, the Pentagon said that Islamabad currently was one of the largest recipients of US security assistance.
The United States has pledged $1.5 billion of foreign military financing to Pakistan from 2005-2009.
In June 2004, President Bush designated Pakistan as a major non-Nato ally. The US supports Pakistan’s defence needs through sales of advanced systems (recent sales include TOW 2A missiles, P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, AH-1 Cobra Helicopters, and Harpoon missiles).
Last year, President Bush also announced the US intention to move forward with the possible sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan.
“These commitments are a clear signal that the US is determined to stand by Pakistan for the long run, to support Pakistan’s capabilities in the war on Terror, as well as to meet other legitimate defence needs,” the Pentagon said.
“The strength of US-Pakistan ties was also reflected in the immediate US response to Pakistan’s call for assistance following the Oct 8 earthquake. To date, the US has pledged $110 million in military support for earthquake relief operations, including providing airlift, logistics support, road-clearing, and medical treatment.”
