KABUL: Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said on Thursday the United States was reaching the limits of its patience with Pakistan because of the safe havens the country offered to insurgents in neighbouring Afghanistan.
It was some of the strongest language used by a US official to describe the strained ties between Washington and Islamabad.
Panetta was speaking in the Afghan capital, where he arrived for talks with military leaders amid rising violence in the war against the Taliban and a spate of deadly incidents, including a NATO air strike said to have killed 18 villagers.
"It is difficult to achieve peace in Afghanistan as long as there is safe haven for terrorists in Pakistan," Panetta, who arrived in Kabul a day after a deadly insurgent bombing, told reporters.
"It is very important for Pakistan to take steps. It is an increasing concern, the issue of safe haven, and we are reaching the limits of our patience."
Pakistan's cooperation is considered critical to US efforts to stabilise Afghanistan before most foreign combat troops leave at the end of 2014.
COMMENTS (124)
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Green G loved your remarks but unfortunately nobody listening in PK! Hell bent on destroying itself.
wait soon its going to be America Khappay Khappy Khappy
Losers cannot be choosers Mr. Panetta. Time to pack up because if Pakistanis lose their patience you and your new Indians buddies will need a lot of adult diapers.
@GreenG: Excellent !!! Loved your write up..I hope Pakistanis read it & make some sense out of it..
Why cant Pakistan do the right thing here? Dont Pakistanis see that the Taliban and Al Qaeda committed a crime and a sin when they committed 9/11? If Pakistanis were genuine in this war, do you think America would have even hesitated to apologize for the Salala incident. Why did Pakistanis light candles to mourn for the Mumbai attack victims, but fail to prosecute hafez saeed? Why cant they make a gesture by helping India with the legalities. The authorities even tried to hide ajmal kasab's relatives in his village after the media identified them. Is this honest behavior? If Pakistanis really have a large heart, why cant they initiate reconciliation with their adversaries. If you did that, you would see world opinion about Pakistan change before your very eyes. Today, almost every country has a negative opinion about Pakistan, is this the legacy you want to pass onto your children. Would you rather be a respected member of the world community or would you rather shut yourself out by listening only to your mullahs? - Indian.
what pakistan and US do to each other is their business. I just request the Pakistanis to read a news item in yesterday's ET titled... "economic condition termed scary " and that too by none other than one of the respected Pakistani businessman turned politician.... Pls stoop being laptop warriors and see the writing on the wallI'd rather worry about losing the war
@Asad: Well Said Jani
@mpq357: 1979-1989 : Mujahideen in Afghanistan won, Afghanistan became a bad land afterwards with no economic or social progress. 2001-2014 : Mujahideen in Pakistan "may" win. Then it will become the lawless bad land like Afghanistan once it's economy collapse. You are very right my friend. HISTORY INDEED IS REPEATING
My God, the delusions of grandeur!
Pakistan is a $150 Billion economy, US is a $14 Trillion economy. To put it another way, US economy is 94 times bigger than Pakistan.
US economy is even triple the economy of China. NATO countries form well more than 60% of the World's GDP.
US doesn't have to fire a single bullet to hurt Pakistan. All it needs to do is sanction it, as it has done with Iran. Pakistan neither has the reserves, the economic strength nor a viable benefactor to withstand these sanctions for even 3 months.
Without any sanctions, US has made sure there are zero investment in Pakistan, the reserves are sufficient for few weeks, no one is willing to fund Pakistani infrastructure projects. Even if Pakistan turns towards the IMF, US being the major vote will not approve any loans.
I am glad that US doesn't have to use any force against Pakistan, that would have meant too many refugees to India. We would have been forced to do ghastly things to stop them from crossing the border.
So Mr. Panetta if the problem is serious then why dont you address some of Pakistan issues. For over 60 years US could not help Pakistan solve the Kashmir problem. You did nothing but now go and sit in the aggressors lap and listen to him more than the oppressed people of the valley.
You do nothing there and want us to do every thing for you, more than we can afford. We have already sacrificed many lives for you. Be fair Mr. Panetta. Do something for us too. Give a democratic solution to Kashmir. Then see how US is viewed in the region.
These empty threats will only harm the cause. I am not suggesting any of these extra constitutional outfits survive. They must and all will go once you show some seriousness in the region's peace and stability.
and here is why he is losing patience
http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/2012/03/18/of-isi-why-ahmad-shuja-pasha-will-never-walk-alone/
The only reason America has been defeated is because it has NO patience. When making a statement to international audience one must talk with reason and sense, Panetta has shown he has none.
@yar: Stop believing the ISI propaganda.............no one want to destroy Pakistan, Pakistanis are doing a fantastic job themselves.
@Muslim: if you could cleanup u r own house the others will not have to come in and do it. Anyone who want to run away from the LAW, finds shelter in the FATA area, and then one day they emerge from it as mujaheddin. They strap bombs and come blow up mosques and imambarghas, spray blood on innocent ppl in the street or kidnap others loved ones for Ransom.
First stop killing u r own ppl than point the finger to others, if you are a true muslim the 1st thing u must do it respect life, without discrimination, of faith, color or creed. Islam, my friend does not allow you to kill even a single innocent soul to punish a guilty.
US Pakistan relations are like a forced marriage .. and it will end on divorce and it should because both parties are feeling so much stress and the more they live together they will hurt each other .. so wish both parties .. Divorce..
It proves one thing....Pakistan is so strong that even US is frustrated for not being able to rein it.Wow...
@Ginseng:
not a chance in the world they would even think of that.
1979-1989 : Invading Soviet forces defeated (alhumdulillah) by the Mujahideen based in Waziristan and KPK, Pakistan. The Soviets issued threats of dire consequences to the Pakistanis.
2001-2014 : Invading American forces will be defeated (insh'Allah) by the Mujahideen based in Waziristan and KPK, Pakistan. The Americans are issuing threats of dire consequences to the Pakistanis.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF!
we are losing too sir.
@John P: Pakistan gives two hoots for US money - you saw how much sanctions got you in the past - nil. We still got our atomic bombs, sanctions or not.
Patience is a virtue mr. Panetta, I read somewhere that Central Asians will allow only none lethal cargo and more intrusive inspections of cargo, is it right. Lets go to our business, selling our high tech produce.
the general says 'we are friendly'
It appears, the War on Terror operation by US is slipping into Pakistan as well.
what about safe heavens in Afghanistan!!! hypocrisy is at its peak from american end!!
Pakistan was quite moderate before US & Saudi Arab started dumping weapons & petro-dollars to counter Communism through extremism.They found Pakistan under Zia a perfect lunch pad. When Russians left, every mujahideen should have been de-weaponized & deradicalized. Instead they were used to gain strategic depth in neighboring countries (Taliban in Afghanistan & insurgents in Kashmir). When Taliban got stronghold in Afghanistan, they harbor Osama & rest is as you know it.
Its time for Pakistan to resume NATO supplies asap otherwise we will be screwed. This ego is going to get us in more trouble. $USD will touch new heights and would be around110-125. Why? because USA will stop aiding us and since we are already alive on "BHEEK" then we won't be able to do anything, consequently Inflation will increase, rupee will be devalued. We need to understand the fact that when IMF and World Bank gives us loan then they get stakes in certain areas of GDP for the repayments. They usually get stakes in electric and fuel sector since these two sectors are cash cows. So what happens then? Rupee gets devalued and that's not their problem so what they do is they pressurize you to increase the prices to equalize the inflated amount. They just don't care they want their instalments. In the end "General Public" is further screwed.
You will find 99% of Pakistanis gossiping this that America chor hai, hamara system kharab hai, Light nahi ati, Zaradi chor hai.. but I bet you won't find single person with the solution.
Anyone with a solution?
Enough dialogue. Need to see some action now.
I request all my country fellow that we need to stay away from Strategic alliances and always remain impartial .This is because we need to first develop our country . We have to stay out of any war or terrorist groups and keep equal relations with every country in this world . We are in financial crisis ,please
Mr. Panetta whole world is losing their patience against US. Prejudice, fanaticism, extremism, intolerance and cruelty are some of the characteristics deeply ingrained into the minds of US officials and elites. With such hideous traits and black track record, on what basis the US is voicing its concerns about terrorism when it is the biggest terrorist state of the world? The huge network of CIA operatives secretly deployed in Pakistan is stoking flames of terrorism to create anarchic conditions. Pakistan has no moral justification to become an ally of biggest terrorist state and fight its war when it has been confirmed that it is fuelling rather than curbing terrorism to harm Pakistan.
History tells that US accepts defeat by blaming others :)
We are in need of friends not foe. We need development not death & destruction. What is wrong with NATO demands. They are better than Al-Queda and Taliban's. True pakistani
when ever Nato killed innocent Afghans white man starts getting at pakistan what a policy what a policy.
@Drone_Strike: Truth is that US is losing patience with Afghan problem and its inability to solve it. It only looks for a suitable scapegoat for the benefit of its populace and who is better than Pakistan to beat at the moment. But things will change very shortly...let it lose its patience further it will a PATIENT very soon, incurable by any means. Symptoms are there..Rise Of CHINA, iNDIA & RUSSIA has made US a psycho with no returning back.
@hassan: rubbish...US has taken back its investment in many folds. Also giving aids does not mean losing ones dignity.Your logic is absurd and full of bias
no mr panneta no,don't loose patience until we get ICBMs.then you will never loose your patience for sure.
The anger should be directed against those that have armed, trained and provided shelter to militant groups that operate from Pakistan against India and Afganistan and who have reduced Pakistan to a lawless state at war with itself. Panetta is right. Its not just US whose patience is wearing thin.
We are also losing patient; we can’t wait any longer for the CSF funds and aid
Who is next? Pakistan or Iran to be bombed after Syria. New Middle east is getting practical shape.
No logical words..........feeling happy to listen your cry mr. panetta.
@Aryabhat: This is where Indians ignorance is exposed to its peak. US/NATO supply lines thru central Asian countries is costing them 3 times then it was thru Pak. Go and google central Asian map, to your surprise, you will find all those countries LAND LOCKED. US ships with all kind of supplies/stuff can only harbored at Karachi port. Transit through air is much lesser in capacity and three times of the price then of sea
@Faisal yaqoob: USA should share information if there agencies knows about safe heavens.
How about having a look in North Waziristan? Or may be you can try Abottabad.
M Usama Kabbir: Lets not be with US!
@hassan, how about we show this gratitude by sending our forces to Afghanistan to fight Taliban? better yet let's hand over our nukes to US too.
Pakistan's answer: kya kar loge?
Audience: let's wait and watch, its going to be fun.
Now, that's telling them Leo ! Cut the money too while you're at it. Nothing hits home like a hole in the pocket.
US is frustrated of losing in Afghanistan & Pakistan victory. It was the Mighty USSR earlier & now the lone super power USA's & its NATO allies with all their HiTech turn to lose against Pakistan.
Dear Panetta, May i Dare to teach you a simple law of motion? this is a perfect example you can fit into Your Policies.
1st Law of Motion: "An object at rest stays at rest until acted upon by an outside force."
You are the force who bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. You are the force who killed masses in Vietnam war. You are the force who messed up Iraq. You are the force who messing up Afghanistan. You are the force killing innocent people in FATA and Waziristan in Pakistan. You have done more harm than help to human relations. and now you are scolding about Pakistan.
With detest, Atif Baloch
Indian commenters stop getting schadenfreude about Panetta's comments. Americans have making a lot of noise about Iran too (along with Israel) but they still dont have the guts to attack them. Why? Because after their shenanigans in Iraq and Afghanistan, it would be a deathwish to go after Pakistan. On the slim chance that even if that happens, the turmoil in Pakistan will spell trouble for India, just like the dumb war on terror in Afghanistan in the last 10 years, ended up destabilising Pakistan. So please be careful what you wish for!!!
To all the commentators above who are harsh critics of US:
Please show some gratitude to Americans; without US billions, Pakistan would have been nowhere. Essentially, Pak was running the show, building infrastructure and building army with other peoples money. Even now, without the US charity, and without the US investments, Pak won't have money to pay salaries to your army. Without the US aid, Pak would never got the infrastructure built in place. During the 60's and 70's when most of India had only narrow, pot-holed roads, Pak had shiny, swanky wide roads.
Let me be blunt: the milk you drink, the bread you eat, the medicines you take, the salaries you pocket....all these comes to you with the courtesy of US. Next time you want to show annoyance to US officials, think of all the billions that have poured from US to you, and then comment.
Sure you are losing patience with Pakistan. So what are you going to do about it? Bomb us like Iraq and Afghanistan??? In 10 years you couldnt stabilise and control the 34 million population of afghanistan and your going to take on a country of 180 million? Even sadists wouldnt make that choice!
Well Well Well !! Threats after Threats after Threats. What about the thousands of Pakistanis killed in the so called War on Terror !! But will the Pakistanis ever learn from experience? Will they ever learn to work for the interest of their own country rather than fingering the neighbors and waging their tails to Super Powers??
Those who believe Pakistan is not a safe haven for terrorists, have to explain why terrorist leaders like Osama bin Laden and Abu Yahya Al Libi keep popping up in Pakistan territory.
Please first clear the safe heavens in Afghanistan. Mr. Panetta have you heard of Nuristan and Kunar in Northern Afghanistan? The ISAF forces cannot even go in there. It is controlled totally and absolutely by Taliban factions/sympathisers. Clean your house first. And PLEASE stop the peanuts aid for once and all. Thanks
@Maz3tt: It's just too bad the US losing its patience could actually be a bad thing. Pakistan losing its patience means it's time to buy stock in tissue companies.
I appreciated the patience of American nation for being high rated fools by CIA, do what ever you can old man!!
What about the safe havens (camps) in Afghanistan where BLA terrorists are trained.
So America makes plans to neutralize our nukes, sidelines us, invades our country, kills our soldiers, helps India fuel insurgency in Balochistan through Afghanistan. All this, after we have had thousands of ours troops, including ISI officials killed, in this war on terror, thousands more civilians killed, after our economy had been destroyed because of this war and after we have captured hundreds of Al Qaide operatives. And let me get this right. America is losing patience with us? I think it should be the other way around.
thank you for dragging Pakistan into this so called Fight AGAINST HUMANITY Oh I am sorry it's TERRORISM.
And Pakistan is loosing patience with the stubborn attitude of US!!
pls help in clearing fata. it is an area filled with notorious criminal gangs, kidnappers, arsonists, murderers etc. No ordinary pakistani can even visit this place.
India-Pakistan are coming closer with each passing day and the people of both country think they can resolve their issues peacefully but every US official visiting India thinks they can score brownie points with the Indians with statements against Pakistan. It's really pathetic how they think they can threaten a nation while visiting their neighbour!
The people of Pakistan have reached the limits of their patience....
Run out of patience?? And do what? Repeat Bush-II concept of "with us or against us" and repeat Armitage promise of bombing the nation to stone age?
USA should realize it can't give money to Pakistan to 'win hearts and minds', when it is also bombing a part of Pakistan. A better method is to bring about change within Pakistan, by making the citizens realize how out of touch they are with their reality.
Economic sanctions, and denial of market would bring that reality home much faster.
Hats off to Pakistan for scoring self goal after self goal! This just shows the lack opf wisdom in the entire polity and establishment. Having painted themselves into a corner, pakistan has only the wall to stare at. And it will be a hard place between the devil and the deep sea!
Does Pakistan realise that US and NATO has already signed land transit agreement with Central Asian nations?
Not only they are now able to get their cargo in but also take their troops and cargo out in 2014 without passing through Pakistan!
It is a game of who wants whom more so let us wait for another year and IMF re-payment time! Just like all the noise changed before Chicago conference, it would change again and Paksitan will have to HUG the same Americans!
Is there any way we can change the people with radicalised views and extremist actions to bring with common public fold? - May be we need another gandhi/ theresa.
@Asad:
How about the safe heavens in Afghanistan? have you managed to cleared them up yet?
That was not possible with double faced ally (?), you can destroy OBL's hideout but not facts !
@Maz3tt: How come then al-Qaeda No. 2 Yahya Al-libi was found in North Waziristan and OBL was found in Abbotabad. We cannot hunt with the hound and run with the hare.
@Maz3tt:
You really think Pakistani's are handling it's affairs or capable? 65 years of your history shows, Pakistan doing a great job in the opposite direction!
Invasion of the pure land is coming.
SEE Pakistan , this is the result of all the sacrifices you put up in this war .I am very concern about why our GOV and Army is not raising their voice against US blackmailing. and Mr. Panetta we need evidences and we need answers to the heavens in Afghanistan against PAK civilians ,we need answers against your support to Big Lords in Baluchistan who are causing trouble .
@Maz3tt: you live in denial my friend and there's no point telling you anything.
You have been loosing patience in Afghanistan for over 10 years now...you have lost this war a lot more miserably than Vietnam...!
How come a peace could prevail in Afghanistan when the biggest terror player in the world has kept Afghanistan occupied from the last one decade. Being a Pakistani, our patience is also touching its limits now.
@Usama Kabbir!! Kidnap for ransom policy? This is real world my friend. If you do any wrong to anyone, expect the same. As for Mr. Panetta!! We expected this ever since you came to the region. If you are losing patience, SO ARE WE!!!
this is the time that we Pakistani should realize "friends not masters"
I think NATO supply is about to resume shortly :-)
Seems to be paying to the Afghan audience or the electorate in the US. Pk policy is compliant with US requirements. Even the NATO supplies have been routed alternatively, so this 'threat' is for a different audience.
U r loosing patience with Pakistan, In fact u are loosing a war
I am also losing patience with Pakistan. When is secularism coming here?
There's a certain de ja vu about this- wasnt it another war criminal Henry Kissinger who once said to the then Pakistani Foreign Minister, Aziz Ahmed that if Pakistan didnt desist from its nuclear programme that the 'US would make a horrible example of Pakistan'?
Pakistan Losing patience with US.....
typo in the foto caption: 'dificult' = 'difficult'
Time to wake up!
and we are losing patience as well! we cant get more of our people killed!
Time to take a glass of cold water.
I think Mr.pannetta should also keep it in his mind that,pakistanis are also losing thier patience,at drone attacks,at US involvement in our internal affairs and in our ploitics and backing our corrupt leaders always.Mr.pannetta should also keep it in mind that the whole world might be loosing patience at USA,and espcially the suffering afghans,since they are bing in this war from US,since more than 10 yrs without any results.
This statement is the consequence of Indian and Afghanistan briefings. Surely they must have polluted him with their toxic propaganda. After ISAF/NATO patience ran out to stay any further in Afghanistan, USA wants to outsource Afghan War. After Pakistan's refusal, the next country which can under take the venture is India. Best of Luck.
Spell Mistake: "was dificult to secure Afghanistan" -> difficult
Keep losing it =D
Not a minute too late.
we also reaching the limits of our patience regarding you and your policies. there is no safe heavens in Pakistan. it's only your propaganda. you are your people doesn't seems competent enough to handle affairs in Afghanistan so don't put the blame on others.
Pakistan can no more continue its Kidnap for Ransom policy. Either you are with the US or against it. Agreed with Panetta.
How about the safe heavens in Afghanistan? have you managed to cleared them up yet?