Kerry set to press Pakistan over US concerns about bin Laden
Source: Agencies |
May 16, 2011, Monday
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UNITED States Senator John Kerry will press Pakistani leaders for answers on Osama bin Laden in talks today but he will be keen to ensure Pakistani anger over the raid does not subvert vital security cooperation.
US special forces found and killed the al-Qaida leader in the garrison town of Abbottabad on May 2.
His discovery, living comfortably in a high-walled compound virtually under the noses of military authorities, revived US suspicions that Pakistani security agencies knew where he was.
Pakistan welcomed bin Laden's killing as a big step against militancy.
But the secret US raid to get him has been condemned as a violation of sovereignty which embarrassed and outraged the military. Military officials say it has caused a breakdown in trust which has cast a shadow over security cooperation.
Pakistan might be a tricky ally but it is vital to US efforts to combat Islamist militants and to efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, where US forces depend on Pakistani supply lines for water, food, fuel and other essentials.
In a sign of Pakistani anger, the chairman of Pakistan's joint chiefs of staff committee, General Khalid Shameem Wynne, on Friday cancelled a five-day visit to the US due to begin on May 22.
Kerry told reporters in Afghanistan yesterday that he would hold a series of "important discussions" in Islamabad today.
Kerry has long been seen as a friend of Pakistan but told reporters in Kabul the relationship between Washington and Islamabad had reached "a critical moment."
"It is fair to say that some of my colleagues in the House and Senate have deep reservations as to whether or not Pakistan is committed to the same goals or prepared to be a full partner in pursuing those goals," he said.
The US administration has not accused Pakistan of complicity in hiding bin Laden but has said he must have had some sort of support network, which it wants to uncover.
US legislators have questioned whether Pakistan is serious about fighting militants and some have called for a suspension of US aid.
Kerry said if there is no "improvement in the current situation" it will become increasingly difficult to convince people at home of the need to give aid to Pakistan.
Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said earlier it was "extraordinarily hard to believe" bin Laden could have been in Pakistan for so long without any knowledge.
On Saturday, Pakistan's parliament condemned the US raid and called for a review of US ties, warning that Pakistan could cut US supply lines to its forces in Afghanistan if there were more such attacks.
The US is likely to seek Pakistani help in an investigation into an imam of a Florida mosque and his two sons, arrested on Saturday on charges of financing the Pakistani Taliban. Three others charged were living in Pakistan, US officials said. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it was ready to assist.
(AP)
US special forces found and killed the al-Qaida leader in the garrison town of Abbottabad on May 2.
His discovery, living comfortably in a high-walled compound virtually under the noses of military authorities, revived US suspicions that Pakistani security agencies knew where he was.
Pakistan welcomed bin Laden's killing as a big step against militancy.
But the secret US raid to get him has been condemned as a violation of sovereignty which embarrassed and outraged the military. Military officials say it has caused a breakdown in trust which has cast a shadow over security cooperation.
Pakistan might be a tricky ally but it is vital to US efforts to combat Islamist militants and to efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, where US forces depend on Pakistani supply lines for water, food, fuel and other essentials.
In a sign of Pakistani anger, the chairman of Pakistan's joint chiefs of staff committee, General Khalid Shameem Wynne, on Friday cancelled a five-day visit to the US due to begin on May 22.
Kerry told reporters in Afghanistan yesterday that he would hold a series of "important discussions" in Islamabad today.
Kerry has long been seen as a friend of Pakistan but told reporters in Kabul the relationship between Washington and Islamabad had reached "a critical moment."
"It is fair to say that some of my colleagues in the House and Senate have deep reservations as to whether or not Pakistan is committed to the same goals or prepared to be a full partner in pursuing those goals," he said.
The US administration has not accused Pakistan of complicity in hiding bin Laden but has said he must have had some sort of support network, which it wants to uncover.
US legislators have questioned whether Pakistan is serious about fighting militants and some have called for a suspension of US aid.
Kerry said if there is no "improvement in the current situation" it will become increasingly difficult to convince people at home of the need to give aid to Pakistan.
Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said earlier it was "extraordinarily hard to believe" bin Laden could have been in Pakistan for so long without any knowledge.
On Saturday, Pakistan's parliament condemned the US raid and called for a review of US ties, warning that Pakistan could cut US supply lines to its forces in Afghanistan if there were more such attacks.
The US is likely to seek Pakistani help in an investigation into an imam of a Florida mosque and his two sons, arrested on Saturday on charges of financing the Pakistani Taliban. Three others charged were living in Pakistan, US officials said. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it was ready to assist.
(AP)
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