Holbrooke praises Pakistan’s progress against Taliban

[Beskar]

Holbrooke praises Pakistan’s progress against Taliban

Sunday, 16 Aug, 2009


Holbrooke told reporters travelling with him Saturday that the Pakistani military's success in ending the Taliban's takeover of Swat was a sign of progress.

DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Holbrooke praises Pakistan?s progress against Taliban
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ISLAMABAD: President Barack Obama’s special envoy to Pakistan praised the country’s ‘very significant’ progress in taking back key areas from Taliban militants and said the US would provide more weapons for the fight as well as badly needed economic aid. Holbrooke went on to hint at closer economic ties and joint action on the ongoing energy crisis in the country.

Richard Holbrooke began an official visit Sunday but heavy rain forced him to postpone a trip to the northwestern Swat Valley, a US Embassy official told AP on condition of anonymity, citing embassy policy.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees have begun to return to the valley after the military declared it had mostly driven the Taliban from control of the area.

Holbrooke told reporters travelling with him Saturday that the Pakistani military’s success in ending the Taliban’s takeover of Swat was a sign of progress, along with the reported death of the militants’ leader, Baitullah Mehsud, in a CIA missile strike Aug 5.

‘I cannot tell whether the Taliban have been destroyed or dispersed as a result of this operation until I go myself,’ he said. ‘But one thing that is quite obvious is that security forces regained Swat and Buner from the Taliban, which itself is very significant.’

Speaking at a press conference with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the foreign office in Islamabad, Holbrooke mentioned the need for greater economic co-operation between the two countries.

‘The US understands Pakistan’s energy requirements and needs, therefore, energy related issues will be focused on more in Pak-US relations in future,’ and that the two nations would move towards ‘closer economic ties,’ APP quoted the special envoy as saying.

Despite the progress made against the militants, many difficult battles lie ahead to defeat the Taliban takeover of the Swat valley.

Holbrooke said the US planned to provide more helicopters and other equipment such as night-vision goggles to the Pakistani military to aid the fight, as well as give economic help for the cash-strapped government.

Pakistani forces have been winding down their three-month offensive in Swat but still face pockets of militant resistance and violence, such as the suicide attack on Saturday which left at least five dead. — AP/APP

 

[fatman17]

in july he was not so sure about swat operations and now he is applauding! what gives?

he wants pak army to move into s/n waziristan to eliminate the militants and the pak army/air force have a different view / game plan!

 

[naveed qaiser]

Pakistan gave most sacrifices in war on terror to eliminate the menace of terrorism which was not only threat for Pakistan but for entire world. Unlike Musharraf, Present Govt did not play double game and sincerely exerted efforts to flush out militants, the result is that today Swat, Malakand , other areas have almost been cleared from militants and people are living fear free life.
Govt was severely targeted by some of the orthodox parties for launching operation. These parties have always supported right wing of extremists but Govt realized ahead of time that these fanatics would pose severe threats to sovereignty of Pakistan as it was clear from their actions that are beheading innocent people, burning schools, bomb blasts and suicide attacks.
At this stage Pakistan’s need support and international community should play its role now.

 

[seekers]

Scenario in FATA is different from Swat.
In FATA they have deep ground and need a very well planed to cut their roots.
PA is now waiting for their internal apart ,their are many groups of taliban allies and opponents.PA learn a lesson that nobody is reliable so first keep them first to their self dismantle and than make a final action.But keep an a air strike in the mean time.