In an interview with CBS news channel, the top US diplomat also foresaw continuation of ‘close coordination’ with the key South Asian ally in the fight against militants.
‘Look at, again, what has happened in the last nine months. Pakistan has increased its commitment in the fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda,’ Clinton said, citing Pakistan’s ‘absolutely successful’ campaign against Taliban in the Swat valley over last several months.
Continuing, Clinton said, ‘a lot of people thought that (strong action and Taliban ouster from Swat) would never happen. I believe that if we engaged very intensively with our Pakistani friends, and we did through meetings in Washington and in Islamabad.
‘If we shared information, we listened to each other, that there would be a decision by the civilian and military leadership that the threat was directed at them, that it could undermine their government, in fact, you know, would lead to very dangerous consequences in terms of the survivability of the state in many parts of the country. So, yes, have they taken action? Absolutely.’
She argued that the US and its allies are always working to achieve more in the overall perspective and cannot be complacent but, at the same time, underscored the fact that Pakistan’s achievement needs to be acknowledged.
‘Well, you know, we are always working for more. I mean, I just finished saying we’re, we’re not satisfied with anything. This is not, you know, a checkbox kind of experience where, ‘Oh, we’re done with that, we’re done with that.
‘But look at what has been accomplished (in Pakistan). And, I think, that we will continue to see a very close coordination.’
Clinton also noted that the Taliban and al-Qaeda are not exclusively hiding in Pakistan.
‘It is important for Americans to understand that focusing on al Qaeda and the Taliban who are largely, but not exclusively, now in Pakistan, cannot be done if we allow them to return to a safe haven in Afghanistan. So this has to be viewed as part of the overall strategy.’ -APP
