US pledges to expand ties with Pakistan
Foreign Desk Report

WASHINGTON—The United States has signaled its readiness to work with the new Pakistani government in carrying forward bilateral cooperation in a wide array of fields, including continuation of the democratic process in the country.
“ We are looking forward to being able to continue our cooperation and work with Pakistan on a variety of issues from the fight against extremism, to economic and political development, and continuing the democratic process there,” the State Department said. Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey also reiterated Washington’s position at the daily briefing that the country’s internal political matters are for the Pakistanis to decide.
“In terms of what happens internally in Pakistan’s political system, as we’ve always said, these are issues for Pakistanis themselves to decide,” he said in response to a question about the future political course in the major non-NATO partner.
The spokesman referred to visit by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher to the country after inception of the new government. He added the two diplomats had the opportunity to meet with Pakistani leaders including the President, the new Prime Minister and heads of political parties. Pakistan had a new government last month, following its landmark February 18 parliamentary polls and senior US officials envision taking forward the wide-ranging bilateral ties while also vowing to work hand-in-hand with the key South Asian country on the best way to curb violent extremism in the Afghan border region.
The military centers, to be staffed by about 20 personnel from the three countries, also will allow Afghan and Pakistani officials to use America’s intelligence-gathering might. The officers can watch live video feeds from U.S. spy planes in the centers _ real-time information that can be relayed back to ground forces on both sides.
Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, the commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, told about 100 military personnel from the three countries at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday at a small border outpost that they were taking ¢a giant step forward in cooperation, communication and coordination.” This facility represents our best opportunity to move forward in our common mission to rid this region of the scourge of terrorism,” Rodriguez said. ¢The border coordination center is the cornerstone upon which future cooperative efforts will grow.”
Pakistan’s tribal regions close to the rugged Afghan border have long been considered a likely hiding place for al-Qaida and an operating ground for Taliban militants planning attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan. Afghan officials have accused Pakistan of harboring Taliban militants, a charge Islamabad has denied. Pakistani officials have conceded, however, that fighters do cross into Afghanistan.
Insurgents also have increased their attacks in Pakistan over the past year. Eastern Afghanistan, where the U.S. military primarily operates, has seen a drop in violence in recent months.
Three of the coordination centers, which cost about US$3 million each, were to be built in Afghanistan and three in Pakistan, said U.S. Brig. Gen. Joe Votel. The macro view is to disrupt insurgents from going back and forth, going into Afghanistan and back into Pakistan, too,” Votel said. ¢This is not going to instantly stop the infiltration problem, but it’s a good step forward.”
Pakistani Lt. Gen. Mohammed Masood Alam, the top army commander in the country’s volatile northwest, said the war on terror is of common interest to the world, but more so to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Terrorism can’t be fought alone. It has no borders, no laws,” Alam said. ¢It’s going to be a long effort. It can’t be done overnight.”