Islamabad : The US has said its relationship with Pakistan was
"essential" in the fight against terror. The ties were, however,
"complicated and difficult" at times.
"Without addressing specific methods, I would say simply that we
believe our relationship with Pakistan is essential to fighting
terrorism and terrorists, fighting Al Qaeda," Associated Press of
Pakistan (APP) quoted US President Barack Obama's spokesman Jay Carney
as saying in Washington.
Carney was asked by reporters about a call by former US intelligence
chief Admiral (retd) Dennis Blair for an immediate halt to drone
attacks on Pakistani soil.
"We also make no apologies for the need to go after terrorists,
members of Al Qaeda, wherever they are. And that is certainly true
about the mission to eliminate Osama bin Laden," Carney said.
Osama was killed in a US special forces mission in Pakistan's
Abbottabad city in May. The US did not inform Pakistan about the
operation, saying it may have been sabotaged.
Blair recently said Washington's unilateral actions were harming
ties with Islamabad and that Pakistan should be given control over
drone strikes.
According to APP, the White House official's remarks indicated that
the US understands that tensions were arising from its unilateral
anti-militant actions. But that Washington wants to maintain close ties
with Islamabad and fight terrorists simultaneously.
"And I think that I understand that that creates tension. And we
have... we engage with the Pakistanis to discuss these issues all the
time. But the relationship is important and, obviously, fighting
terrorism is important," the spokesman said. IANS
