Taliban a threat but succeeding: US envoy

ISLAMABAD—Recent visit of President General Pervez Musharraf to United States and his meetings with President Bush and other high American officials have further strengthened bilateral and strategic relations between the two countries.
This was stated by American ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker while talking to newsmen here at US embassy on Tuesday.
The American ambassador appreciating Pakistan's role in the war against terror said President Musharraf has been taking necessary measures to curb the activities of the Taliban and extremist elements. He said Pakistan government and President Musharraf are determined in the war against terrorism.
Replying to a question, the American ambassador said the Taliban, although still a threat and pose a challenge and working in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, but they are not taking over any area. He said, "The Taliban are not succeeding in either place (within Afghanistan or Pakistan)."
The US envoy said, with the help and cooperation of its partners in the war against terrorists, "We are confident that we are going to win this long war."
Referring to tripartite meeting between President Bush, President Musharraf and President Karzai in Washington, he said, it was very useful and productive meeting and all the three leaders have unanimity of views on the war against terror and many other issues.
He said all three leaders prepared broad out lines to fight against terror as three presidents understand nature of the problem on both sides of line and how to deal it.
The ambassador said two important visits, President Bush's visit to Islamabad in March and President Musharraf's visit to Washington in just last six months, are clear indication of strong relations between the two countries.
He said during his stay in Washington, President Musharraf held meetings with the American leadership including Secretary of State, Secretary of Defence, Secretary of Energy.
The ambassador said the meetings covered very wide range of issues.
He said negotiations between Pakistan and America are under way to finalise the trade and investment treaty and on the issue of establishing Reconstruction Zones in the FATA.
He said Pakistan's Education Minister will visit America to further promote cooperation in education sector.
Answering a question about Pakistan's agreement in North Waziristan, the ambassador said, President Musharraf explained the agreement in details during the visit.
About the agreement, he said, President Musharraf has explained that its not with the Taliban but to fight against the Taliban. He said America supported the agreement.
He said economic and political as well as social elements are important for long term solution in the situation in the region.
The ambassador said President Bush has said that military alone could not won as there is a need to reach to the people across the Pak-Afghan border and take measures for their development.
He said meeting between President Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Havana was also appreciated by America.
The ambassador said America wants to see a peaceful resolution of disputes including Kashmir issue between Pakistan and India adding that the two countries (Pakistan and India) need to manage the solution of their bilateral issues through mutual consultations.
He said President Musharraf has also assured to hold fair and free elections in 2007 and added that democracy is achieved through fair and free elections. About the allegations of New Delhi regarding involvement of Pakistan's agencies in Mumbai blast, he said, there should be direct contact between the two countries on this issue.
On the issue of F16, the ambassador said the agreement has been signed between the two countries after thorough discussion and both sides worked out on it and its to the satisfaction of both sides.
Appreciating the strong mechanism placed by Pakistan to stop proliferation, the American envoy said Pakistan and international community should know the links of Abdul Qadir Khan. —Agencies