NEW YORK, Jan 18: The US State Department spokesman said on Tuesday that “the greatest threat to Pakistan and to a more democratic, more prosperous Pakistan are the terrorists” and declared that “Pakistan is a steadfast ally in that war on terrorism”.

“They are the ones that are threatening the advances that President Musharraf has made in Pakistan over the past several years. So we’re going to work with President Musharraf to fight those forces that would try to undermine and stop the progress that has been made in Pakistan”, said spokesman Sean McCormack responding to questions about the US air strikes in Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province.

Asked about the demonstrations against the United States which have undermined US-Pakistan relations Mr McCormack said: “I understand that there are some who are protesting in Pakistan. Again, I can’t speak to the numbers in those protests, but what I can tell you is that in our interactions with Pakistani authorities that we continue to have very good meetings on a variety of topics, including fighting the war on terrorism. So I would emphasize and underline to you that the atmosphere of cooperation and good relations continues throughout all of these meetings.” .

Questioned repeatedly about the consequences of the US attacks Mr McCormack reiterated: “I will only tell you that Pakistan is a steadfast ally in that war on terrorism and they understand that — President Musharraf understands that the greatest threat to Pakistan and to Pakistan’s democratic and more prosperous future are these terrorists, are Al Qaida, are the Taliban militants that threaten the stability of Pakistan. So we are working very closely with President Musharraf and the Pakistani government in fighting this war”.

On the loss of innocent civilians in the air strikes, Mr McCormack said “the United States clearly values innocent human life and that is why we’re fighting the war on terror, ..acting against those who would take innocent lives in the name of hatred. And I would just say that acts of terror are not justified by any political cause”.

“These are individuals that have tried to assassinate President Musharraf twice”, and “are responsible for the deaths of many Pakistani citizens. So we will continue to work with President Musharraf and the Pakistani government in fighting the global war on terror”, he added.