US committed to Pakistan, Afghanistan: Clinton
"We are ending a decade of armed conflict. But when all the troops come home, thousands of State Department and USAID employees, American and local staff will still be there on the frontlines in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan,” she said at the State Department.
“They will be working under very difficult conditions to advance our vital interests through civilian power," the State Secretary added.
The chief US diplomat also told the conference of American ambassadors that the US will depend on their close work in Pakistan, which is "vital" to American policies in the region.
"I'm also counting on your personal vigorous engagement regarding Pakistan. (US Ambassador to Pakistan) Cameron Munter, and before him, Anne Patterson, have had very challenging assignments,” she pointed out.
Noting there were multiple overlapping worlds in Pakistan which the US had to deal with all of them simultaneously, Clinton said “but the country is vital to our counterterrorism, economic stability, and regional cooperation goals for the region. And we will continue to engage where we even have legitimate concerns and disagreements."
Regarding Afghanistan, Hillary Clinton said a critical element of the path forward in Afghanistan will be the success of the Afghans in securing and leading their country for themselves. “Ambassador Ryan Crocker has brought his tremendous lifetime experience to this really difficult job at this moment,” she noted.
“They will need help. And I've asked many of you, as a key element of President Obama's policy, to press the governments to which you are accredited to pledge substantial financial support to the Afghan security forces for the period beyond 2014," she said, referring to the 2014 deadline when NATO is due to end its combat operations in Afghanistan and hand over full security responsibility to Afghan forces.
Meanwhile, a Pentagon spokesman said the United States look forward to having a good partnership with Pakistan moving forward. "That's what our focus is on. We believe it is critical for the region and for the mission in Afghanistan," Spokesperson, Navy Captain John Kirby, said. In response to a question, he also looked forward to working with the new ISI chief Lt Gen Zaheer ul Islam. The spokesman added the appointment of new ISI chief is decision of the Pakistani leadership and it is not for the US to make comments on Pakistan's appointments to high offices.
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This past decade is about the glaring diplomatic failure in US history. The fall of the Soviet empire presented a moment which comes but rarely in history, an opportunity for the United States to become the arbiter of freedom, not through the might of its arms, which is tenuous, but by character of its democracy and fair play. Central and South Asia looked to the United States for such leadership and it chose the wrong instrument of leverage and has failed miserably. The moment needed a statesman or woman, the best we could do was to offer mediocre politicians and demagogues. The 'tired, the poor, the huddled masses' came to the fount of freedom and knocked on 'the golden door', and sadly left thirsty and hungry for freedom and justice.
@Kanwal: very well said about them learnt through a bitter experience of 60 years.
Still meanness(under estimating) reflect from USA diplomats when talking about PAKISTAN importance in their war in Afghanistan,they tried all option to find out alternate but could not still not coming forward with sincere commitment how to go in future.Beside, all efforts now of USA is to stop Iran-Pakistan emerging friendship.for which American with help of Saudi remain successful since long let us see for how long.Solution of our economic revival is trade with the neighbours and all westerns have serious herald.
Hahahahahaha good joke Ms. Clinton but come up with new ones now such as ur commitment
US committed because They need road links to ousted from Afghanistan. Once they have successfully done that they would ignite anarchy or civil war like they have done it in middle eastern region.
@US Centcom: Thanks for your comments but your this dual-faced,hypocritical and prejudicial policy for Pakistan that on one side you show sympathy and kindness with Pakistan by killing the innocent Pakistanis intentionally by drones and troops but before the world mistakenly and unintentionally and on the other hand you try your best and utmost to harm and destroy Pakistan's integrity,sovereignty and self-reliance by violating the aerial and land territories of Pakistan and threat Pakistan of US' sanctions in case of doing any deals in economic and financial sectors with China and especially with Iran.I don't know how masterly and cleverly do you deceive and fool the Pakistani leaders by giving sympathetic statements!!!!!!
@US Centcom:
Sir first of all our interests are not common, yours are politically motivated and ours are that of our survival, secondly our enemies are not common either, we supported talibans during Russia war with your money and weapons, now they are our enemy coz you felt they are your enemy and you pulled us into the so called war on terror in which American army is the biggest creator of terror (drones and civilians killings etc), then you decided and your vice president said talibans are not your enemies, it will take you a lot of time to make up your mind and we Pakistanis don’t have that time as our country is blown up into pieces by your proxies i.e TTP, sir kindly give this region a sincere and considerate thought, things will come into perspective for you and us both.
Dear Ahmer and Kanwal,
Our officials have repeatedly voiced the importance of Pakistan in the region. We fully realize that events like the Salala incident have left a bad taste in regards to our partnership. Please rest assured that our governments are working extremely hard to improve the level of cooperation and coordination and to prevent past mistakes from recurring. We simply cannot ignore the importance of both nations working together to combat terrorism. It’s proven that we can achieve great success by working together, and that’s the reason you see both governments making every effort to iron out the differences. We also have to keep in mind that our common enemies in the region would love to see us part ways and leave the door wide open for their terrorist activities. We have come too far and made too many sacrifices to now just give up on achieving our common objectives. We must put our differences aside and focus on eliminating on the threat that continues to haunt the region.
MAJ Nevers, DET, United States Central Command www.Centcom.mil/Ur
Committed right up to the point when the last plane leaves Afghanistan --- after that you will only see/hear drones and press conferences discussing their concern over the degrading conditions in Pakistan.
I am sure you are committed. And thats exactly what I am afraid of. LOL
Very well and impressive statement but this is only for USA's personal own secret interests and objectives.
Yes, undoubtedly!
To save US interests, even if these countries loose their culture, economy, peace, industry, and everything else, which may comfort the locals.