ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday reiterated the US government’s message that Pakistan should do more to “squeeze” the Haqqani network from their border areas.
In a joint press conference held with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in Islamabad, Clinton urged the Pakistani government to show greater cooperation with the US to corner militants.
“You can’t keep snakes in your back yard and expect them to only bite your neighbours,” Clinton said, making a clear reference to the Haqqani network that the US has accused Pakistan of maintaining links with.
(Read more: ISI must disengage from proxies, says Mullen)
She added that US and Afghan forces have “successfully” responded to Pakistan’s legitimate concern regarding terrorists working from the Afghan side of the border, and that Pakistan is expected to do the same.
“If we want to give peace a chance, we have some work to do,” said Secretary Clinton, urging Pakistan to do more to crackdown on extremists operating from Pakistani territory.
Response to Kayani
Clinton agreed with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaque Pervez Kayani’s statement last week when he said “Pakistan is not like Afghanistan". She said that the US acknowledges that Pakistan is a sovereign nation and has a “full and comprehensive agenfa of issues to address”.
She added that Thursday’s talks included an in-depth conversation “with specifics”, and that the US looks forward to taking this ahead.
She also added that a plan is needed to move forward after the talks, and the process needs to be transparent, reiterating the need for a stable and secure Afghanistan.
Praise for APC
Clinton said that the All Parties Conference held in Pakistan last month was seen as a “very significant statement” by the US. She said that the US appreciated that all parties in Pakistan support the peace process and welcome the step as an important development.
US support for Pakistan
Clinton said that the US continues to support the democratic process and economic prosperity in Pakistan
“The US has invested billions of dollars in Pakistan,” she said. “Why? Because a thriving Pakistan is good (for Pakistan) and the rest of the world.”
She added that the US government wants to foster sustainable development in Pakistan, and wants to maintain a relationship of mutual respect and responsibility.
Pakistan has made the most sacrifices: Khar
Foreign Minister Khar concluded the press conference by stating that the world must not forget Pakistan’s sacrifices and losses in the war on terror.
Khar added that Pakistan has suffered economically as well as lost thousands of lives in the fight against terror, and has showed great commitment as a partner in the war.
She also said that Pakistan and US together support an Afghan-led peace process.
Earlier in the press conference, Clinton expressed sympathy for the grievous toll terrorism has taken on Pakistan.
“For too long, extremists have been able to operate in Pakistan and from Pakistani soil,” said Clinton, adding that action should be taken against them to limit the loss of Pakistani, American and Afghan lives.
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It is well established that snakes are indiscriminate as to who they bite, and their are no hard feelings when they do. Perhaps that is why America has bitten hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Pakistan.
Pakistanis claim and clamor about how much sacrifice they have made, how much losses they have incurred!!!
This is completely true. But completely besides the point.
Pakistan has taken money to fight the war. Pakistan has taken more money in terms of economic and other assistance. These money and assistance came with a clear condition to take out Al Qaeda and its affiliates.
On the contrary, Pakistan allegedly protected Al Qaeda supremo and are allegedly sponsoring Haqqani network to attack NATO.
Even if you simply look at it as a business...then you have basically went against your promise for the money you took from USA.
The other option is to say NO to US money and its war. However, in that case be prepared to be declared a terrorist state, to lose complete economic assistance from IMF as well, to be the next target of USA for being a terror harboring state, complete international isolation, complete isolation even on Kashmir issue and also be ready for open support for Baloch and other separatists, from USA and Europe.
Clinton urged the Pakistani government to show greater cooperation with the US to corner militants. what they want from Pakistan,actually USA lost there minds and don't know what to do.we have sacrifice a lot and till now game is going on.they are totally dependent on Pakistan army.there only measure thing in cash form that's why they would not win this war alone.they are the pic of sit for Muslim countries and selfish wounds.they no such kind of personal respect.shameless peoples and our government is also work out for dollars.now one is clear from corruption.if we really want Pakistan to grow up then first should beg for dollars. they only want us to depend open there self's.now its time for our nation to make these things end and develop a strong Islamic nation.and we want to combine together.
Pakistan has to get serious about reforming its tax system. It has one of lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world. Its treasury coffers are relentlessly empty and the country's budget has a huge, yawning gap. If tax revenues come in, the government can reduce its dependence on foreign aid for military expenditure and make lives easier for the ordinary people.
@R.Khan: Please come out of 1971. This is 2011. Pakistan is not anymore place where any country just attack. They will think 100 times to attack on Pakistan. Bangladesh was 1000s of mole away from the west Pakistan.
Hilery Clinton today on PTV LIVE meeting with Senior Journalists Clearly ruled out any attack on Pakistani soil. Specially ground attacks. If that was easiler then they would never stop doing it. It is nearly Impossible for them to attack from Afghan side.
I have also seen today that she has clearly said we are going to re-start strategical dialogues with Pakistan.
@ashok sai: Nothing is happening more than peace process will go forward as American wants more Pakistan cooperation for reconciliation process with Taliban and Haqqani.
@John B: This is just to show the media nothing has happened when she spoken to Pakistani Leadership. Instead clearly showing that America has stepped backed to all those statements they have given in media during last 6 months.
It clearly shows that they are not expecting Pakistan for more war instead looking for peace reconciliation process. You need to check complete clintons interview on the PTV they have shown live as well as meeting witht he senoir Pakistani Journalists.
Khar added that Pakistan has suffered economically as well as lost thousands of lives..............
May be thousands killed due to bites of highly venomous snakes within backyard of Pakistan
@Ghaznavi: Crap is the most suitable words for what you have typed here , " This is not our war" !!! i wonder why did we messed with them at sawat. peoples like you want nizam-e adal for Pakistan designed by Sufi Mohammad and company. peoples like you always condemn Americans but never condemn Talibans when the attack any where in the country and proudly own, but yet to probe foreign hand behind everything , Talibans cant be eleminate from pakistan's soil unless we have such mentality over here
@R.Khan: Agree one hundred percent and have been advocating this for sometime. There is acute need to educate the entire nation to come out of illusions.
Soon, some other group, network, US planted dictator or government or may be whole nation will become snake. And after that some other and after that, some other again.
She is right in 2014 when all the snak will leave afghanistan there will be peace on earth
Hours of meetings and hours of discussion and not a word on drones:)
We as Pakistani Nation must realize that beggars cannot be choosers... Unless or until we develop ourselves as a "NATION" standing together on our own feet by enhancing our economy, human Resource and professionalism with balanced approach to international socio-economic developments and technological advancement. We as a Nation need to asses whether our priorities are right!!! Now coming to the issue at hand! Pakistan sacrificed approximately 50,000 civilians and service men in War against Terrorism... Aren't we abusing the souls of those martyrs by saying that this is an American War!!!
“You can’t keep snakes in your back yard and expect them to only bite your neighbours,”
is this a learning from your real life? I think bill should have proved you otherwise.
A firm, emphatic NO to war on terror of any sorts. We need to make peace with our own people.
Work harder to 'squeeze' Haqqanis, Clinton tells Pakistan like I squeeze bill.
Thick skin, shamelessness are all strategic tools employed to protect strategic assets. Mrs Clinton has no idea what she is dealing with.
@wolfie - atleast US is the last country to talk about sense. blunder in vietnam, afghanistan, iraq and my list can keep going are sufficient to prove that. So better to keep ur wishes to urself.
When Pakistan applied for UN membership in the year 1947, one country opposed it. The country that opposed its' membership was not India.The country was Afghanistan.
Instead of emotional decisions, we should think rationally & practically. We cannot take on sole world power unless we have a death wish. I see a repetation of 1971 scenerio whereby army claiming victory whereas in reality we were surrendering 90,000 soldiers. Look what Americans did in Iraq & took them 100 years back! Do we want to go back in stone ages? Think twice before deciding.
Ms Clinton, isn't it a bit strange that pentagon and WTC were attacked back in 2001and you had killed tens and thousands of innocent people across the globe since then? if the lives of your people are precious; here too lives humans. they aren't beasts but they too have the right to live. if you have brought your heavy arms and that too of diverse nature and have kept them around the region to suppress the people and create terror, will they grow and prosper here? i wonder how civilized those Americans are who kill others just to derive sustenance and live peacefully...remember history repeats itself.
@sadia,
We can handle our own people but you can not handle America, the way you killed own people for America then,America will ask you DO MORE because ALL Innocent Pakistanis or Afghani are being killed in this so called WAR ON TERROR not any American.. Let take some lesson of Colonel Qazafi & Sadam Hussain... American pets killed by America after completing their job for America..
I feel sorry for Hillary she knows it is a lost cause talking sense to the Pakistanis. yet she tries..wish pakistani listen to what she says
The trip of MS. Clinton, the CIA chief must be looked in the way the US and NATO giving Pakistan importance to stablize Afghanistan and the wider region. There is no need that we always find faults and demonstarte critical behaviour toward our US guests. Strategic Partnership remains the only option between Pakistan and the United States, give it a chance with our full visionary assessment of regional and international security situation.
Pakistan's position: we won't police this piece of land, and we don't want anyone else to police this piece of land. Sorry Pakistan, but it has to be one or the other. The days of safe havens are over.
US is really playing the role of a global leader by allowing peace to prevail, despite their severe differences at key issues with Pakistan's security establishment. Pakistan must stop pursuing only military driven policies if it wants to survive with honour in International community.
Think before you say anything Madam Hillary. America created these monstrous snakes to use them against USSR. You were their mentors and stooge Gen. Zian Ul Haq played in your hands to save his dictatorial rule. For you these terrorists were heroes then. Now Pakistanis are paying with their lives and suffering economically for your selfish acts.
Ms Clinton should also remember their own snakes (Pakistani Taliban, India & others non pakhtoon) which they kept only to destabilized Pakistan.. First they should left the double Game and give the right to Taliban and Afghan people to rule their own country... Hope Mr.Kiayni will remain firm and solid against these threats fm America because whole nation is behind him..
you know, as much as I hate the US foreign policy, it's sometimes good to look at things from their perspective as well. Pakistan cannot afford to take a stand against the US, but neither can we agree to all that they want us to do. US on the other hand wants us to bust our asses off fighting militancy that they created in the first place by supporting the mujaheddin during the Soviet invasion, but they just don't want to admit the latter part. What is really upsetting is that our leaders can't address the world in a proper way. No one in the wider world realizes the fact that Pakistan is fighting something that the US created. Our political leadership and the army brass needs to put this face firmly in the face of the world. We cannot afford to be blamed directly for this terrorism nuisance and yet beg the world for aid and support. The facts need to be told, and we need the world to see that instead of being a terrorism field we are in fact strongly committed to fighting it but we can't do it on our own. If Clinton can tell us to stop breeding snakes in our backyard surely someone in our leadership should have enough self-respect to tell her to stop planting the terrorism seeds in the first place.
Most of the times we fail to understand what others want from us.just emotional feelings.Behind her scolding is the investment they spent on Pakistan.When you enter with someone in an agreement we must not deviate from it.It is also against Islam.We assured them "money back guarantee " if "work" not done precisely.She is just an employee of a department. and the department has come across the fact that we breached them, that is the whole story, they are on foray .Now the given time probably is up,"return the money or allow us to do the work for us".Liaqat Ali khan did make a mistake when he right after our independence flew too far to make a deal with USA, he should have made friend to Russia, if you can make china also communist why caouldn't you make Russia afriend.Russia helped India in 1971 war.whereas 7th fleet remained in the Indian ocean .A friend in need is a friend indeed.We can still surmount the obstacle if we take some help from other countries like Malaysia, Indonesia. and "others".
The irony is that for Pakistan to be stable everything around it must be unstable.... we are located between sworn enemies, there are no friends sharing borders with us except maybe china. we need to ensure our OWN security. Nature will take its course and the USA will collapse from with in NOT without.....Case in example....WALL STREET protests....
@Faizi: Very well said, Faizi. Salams
Mrs.Clinton, Please buzz off. We are already scratching our head cuz of dandruff.
@Aamer: not doing more will cost us even more lives at the hands of these terrorists. not doing more will eventually cost us our country. we should set our own house in order and give up any delusions of being a regional 'super power'. just look at the sordid mess such delusions of grandeur have gotten us into.
@Faizi: undirected, unreasonable anger
@Pass: you mean u nukes?
@maxwell: Good one..Thats Why now Americans don't trust their Leaders anymore.
All this up to "Body Of Lies" no action against Haqqani Network in Afghanistan becuase they dont have any resident in any where in the sub continent...
“You can’t keep snakes in your back yard and expect them to only bite your neighbours,” Clinton said"
That says everything !!
Take it very serious, my Pakistani fellows, what US is just asking, in fact they are planning. They have the power of NATO plus INDIA to accomplish their ultimate goal in Pakistan. The only difference is that there is no Qaddafi visible here who could be killed and humiliated after killing.
"Clinton said that the All Parties Conference held in Pakistan last month was seen as a “very significant statement” by the US" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Within Pakistan not an iota of follow up to the APC has happened.
"You can’t keep snakes in your back yard and expect them to only bite your neighbours, says Clinton." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We have taken anti snake venom potion madam.
Instead of putting pressure on Pakistan, Why don't US and ISAF guard the afghan side of border. And dont let any INTO PAKISTAN and vice versa. seal and mine the border or simply go and leave the occupation. Pakistan will only do whats in her interest. Pakistan has to live in this region unlike US.
US.. always crying for more
YEAH Watever Miss Clinton! We had enough of ur dictations , can someone please show her way to Washington ... We will deal with these MULLAHS ourself...
Dslr picture ..
hahaha nice one Hilary now go back and teach a few lessons on snakes to your CIA chief. They should also realise that.
Mrs. Clinton!!
Pakistan is not willing to be your squeezer any more, specially after the scorn you and your mates in uniform have mounted on Pakistan. THIS IS NOT OUR WAR, we are a peaceful nation and will make peace internally and externally.
We do not trust you a word you say specially after Raymond Davis and OBL affair. You have let us down again. We know you are going to leave soon and we have to live with the mess your leave behind.
America is getting squeezed out of Afghanistan and they want Pakistan to lessen the pain at the expense of our national security, not going to happen!!
“You can’t keep snakes in your back yard and expect them to only bite your neighbours,”....Correct thats what CIA does in Pakistan
Apart from all this stuff , I think bunch of idiots sitting & Operating in Washington are superior in competency than those in Islamabad . ain't this quite evident that America can't bear anyone's progress who can challenge and even supersede it economically or militarily . Pakistan must formulate a concrete step through its foreign Policy .and must convey it to Pantagone about our national sovereignty regarding Haqqani . Primarily in every strike she is trying to convey that Haqqani's do have linkage with ISI and army , an oblique hint o launch our armed forces in Afghanistan as this is the last solution for america to wage a new war through mercenaries !
Madam they are only "Miscreants" in other words Naughty Boys and not Snakes but Sneakers in our system. If direct action is taken against these most valuable present and future assets then it will be "Either they or Us". The most important thing for our country is to discredit all those parties who either supports these elements openly or as sleeping partners. It will take considerable time to tame these indoctrinated mushrooms from our society. Basically Pakistanis want peace in and around their surroundings but are hostage to past policies of our opportunist rulers who were for SALE. Full support for Democratic Forms and Norms are the only solution.
Waoo you know that then why are you feeding milk to Israel....By the way snakes were grown up by you...now they r biting us hard not u madam....
We did already, we paid already thousand lives, more than YOU/USA. We will not do more, at the cost of our country.
Wow, at a joint press conference one can expect warm words to each other, but this seems altogether different, a firm and bold tone by Hillary, soup is getting hot.
Dear Ms Clinton, good effort really....but you are selling mirrors in the city of blinds.
Its joke that they are putting pressure on the militants in the Afghanistan by showing them the path of negotiations and from the Pakistan side they want to take action? Is this not a joke with the civilians of Pakistan? They are lunching the operation and using the drones to strike the hide outs of the militants in the border side. Where they will go and where they will take the revenge? Don’t make us angry and get lost from here… Along with ur aids that ur giving to the politicians to increase there economical position and then take all there money to ur country. take them is well with u
she is on a trip to repair us pak ties in FAVOUR OF US.