Islamabad : Leaders in both Pakistan and the United States recognize the "importance of astrategic partnership with each other and will work through problems to ensure it remains strong," Chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff said here Wednesday.Navy Admiral Mike Mullen acknowledged relations between the two countries "hit a rough patch after CIAcontractor Raymond Davis shot two men in Lahore. When we go through a crisis like this, the focus is to assess where we are, [determine whether there are] causal factors with respect to that, and assess that and move forward,” he told newsmen at the U.S. embassy.
Relations between the two militaries remain "good. We are experiencing better coordination in the [Afghanistan-Pakistan] border area than we’ve ever had,” he said. “I have more relationships up and down the chain of command … in ways a couple of years ago just didn’t exist -- all of which I’m encouraged by.”
The growth of relations is not limited to Pakistan Army. Pakistan Air Force and Navy are partnering with the U.S. Air Force and Navy, Mullen stated. “Overall, I’m optimistic, but fully aware and fully cognizant of the very difficult time we’ve recently been through.”
He said he is concerned about the growth and threat of terrorism in Pakistan, noting that Lashkar-e-Taiba, or LeT, which launched the attack in Mumbai in 2008, is not just an eastern Pakistan threat focused on India. “I see them with global aspirations,” he stated. According to him "several terroristorganizations -- including Haqqani network, al-Qaida, LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawah -- are working together."
“There’s a syndication that’s occurring in the region over the course of last three years that is moreand more worrisome,” he said. "Tehrik-i-Taliban has espoused aspirations outside the region,” Mullen added.” The syndication means that terrorist leaders merge their capabilities and assist each other inattacks.”
“That’s what leads me to believe that the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan is the epicenter of terrorism in the world. And it breeds more and more of capability over time. All countries in the region need to be involved, Mullen said, and that includes India. “It’s going to get worse over time, and they will kill more and more innocent people over time,” he said. “Responsible civilian leadership in all these countries has to continue to address these issues," he stressed. PPI
