NEW YORK The United States expects a Pakistani attack on terrorist havens in North Waziristan and other tribal areas, Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a major newspaper, without saying when it would occur. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal published Friday, he said Pakistan had got the message that it needs to do more to battle militants on its territory. The danger, not just now but in the future, is this epicentre of terrorism literally in the world, is right there, he was quoted as saying. They know that is something that has to be by and large eliminated. The Journal wrote, Adm Mullen has long been the most outspoken member of the US government in support of Pakistans military efforts. Adm Mullen has used his close relationship with Gen Ashfaq Kayani, the Pakistani Army Chief of Staff, to prod the military to step up its actions against military. US military officers, including Adm Mullen, have been against placing too much public pressure on the Pakistani army, arguing such an approach is counterproductive given the fragility of Pakistans domestic situation. The country is now coping with major flood damage, which has sapped government and military resources... Pakistan has bristled at the increased US pressure for it to do more on the battlefield. Last week, in the wake of a series of cross-border attacks by NATO-including one that killed members of Pakistans Frontier Corps - Islamabad temporarily closed a key border crossing. Adm Mullen apologised for the deaths of the Frontier Corps members and worked with the Pakistani military to try to quickly normalise relations. In the interview, Adm Mullen suggested the best way to eliminate the militant havens was by strengthening the US-Pakistan relationship, and convincing Islamabad that the militants that threaten the US are also a grave danger to Pakistan. We didnt have a relationship with them for a period of 12 years (after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan), Adm Mullen said. So it has a lot to do with building trust. The expectation we could instantly get to the same place from a standpoint of supporting this is just too much to expect at this point in time.