Pakistan needs support, says Kerry

WASHINGTON - Pakistan is in danger of becoming the 'epicentre of global extremism if the United States and its allies fail to bring stability to neighbouring Afghanistan, US Senator John Kerry said Monday.
In a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, a US think-tank, Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, underscored United States stakes in Pakistans stability, saying the country must be helped economically and militarily to enable it overcome serious challenges.
At the same time, he said, We need to make it clear that we respect their (Pakistans) sovereignty.
The senators comments came as President Barack Obama held another meeting with his national security team to consider the administrations strategy in Afghanistan and whether to send more troops to the war-torn country.
He said the US must be realistic about what it could achieve in Afghanistan. But he warned that a failure to restrain the Talibans influence and defeat Al-Qaeda would be a boon for followers in Pakistan, where much of the terrorist group fled after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan began in 2001, soon after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
What happens in Afghanistan has an impact on Pakistan, which is not only the headquarters of Al-Qaeda today, but it could easily become the epicentre of extremism in the world, said Kerry.
Instability in Afghanistan only increases the risk of conflagration where the world can least afford it, next door to Pakistan, said Kerry.
On Pakistan, Kerry, co-author of a $ 7.5 billion five-year economic aid measure, said they should be given vital breathing space to deal with difficult problems. These are serious challenges, he added.
Arguing for sustained support for Pakistan, Senator Kerry also drew attention to the contrast in $ 30 to $1 ratio of what the US spends in Afghanistan and what it gives to Pakistan.
He particularly highlighted the anti-militant resolve achieved at public level under the democratic Pakistani government.
The good news is that many Pakistanis recognise that they face an existential challenge within their border.
The Pakistani military has demonstrated a firm resolve with its current offensive against Pakistani Taliban in Waziristan (borer tribal area) and they deserve great credit for that.
We need to be doing as much as we can do and that involves Afghanistan and Pakistan in order to assist the Pakistani military as they go after domestic extremists, he added, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts against remnants of Al-Qaeda.
America and the international community must reassure the Pakistanis that tackling this challenge will lead to a lasting relationship with real economic and security benefits.
Responding to a question about some provisions of the Kerry-Lugar Act, he said the conditions originally proposed were changed to reporting requirements on part of the US Administration. In this regard, he called for being sensitive to the issues in the context of Pakistani domestic politics.
Kerry, who met with the top Pakistani civilian and military leadership, said, He understands Pakistanis sensitivities, and, The Congressional statement added to the legislation completely clarifies respect for Pakistani sovereignty and Unites States not seeking to micromanage the countrys affairs.
He felt the vast majority of Pakistan had moved on (on the issue) and prepared now to build on the relationship. We need to be doing a better job of explaining ourselves, we need to be much more sensitive to their sensibilities as to how we can proceed.
He saw an opportunity in the current refugee exodus from Waziristan toward improving the image of the United States through humanitarian assistance.