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ISLAMABAD: Foreign powers are funding terrorists and the United States is working to address this problem, the special US point man for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke said here on Sunday.
Talking to journalists at Hotel Sarena where he participated in the Pakistan Development Forum, Holbrooke said: This is a serious issue and we are working to address it.
The US envoy however, did not name any countries.
Responding to a question, Holbrooke said the United States committed a mistake in abandoning Pakistan and Afghanistan after the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan and it would not repeat the same mistake.
He emphasized that US commitment to this part of the world is long and enduring and would encompass economic development as well.
In reply to another question, the US special envoy said the process of withdrawing combat troops from Afghanistan would begin in July 2011 and would be completed in phases over four years.
He clarified that the withdrawal process is not an exit strategy but rather a transition strategy.
Holbrooke said the demand by the Taleban that President Hamid Karzai step aside is unacceptable. The US and other countries, including Pakistan, support Karzai and the Taleban will have to live with this reality.
He told a questioner that Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to cooperate to resolve the issue of terrorism.
Holbrooke said he was personally aware of the enormous sacrifices made Pakistan's Army in the war against terror and in difficult terrains in Waziristan, Swat, FATA, Dir and Buner.
Holbrooke said the United States has so far provided about $500 million worth of assistance in the aftermath of the recent devastating floods.
Talking to journalists at Hotel Sarena where he participated in the Pakistan Development Forum, Holbrooke said: This is a serious issue and we are working to address it.
The US envoy however, did not name any countries.
Responding to a question, Holbrooke said the United States committed a mistake in abandoning Pakistan and Afghanistan after the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan and it would not repeat the same mistake.
He emphasized that US commitment to this part of the world is long and enduring and would encompass economic development as well.
In reply to another question, the US special envoy said the process of withdrawing combat troops from Afghanistan would begin in July 2011 and would be completed in phases over four years.
He clarified that the withdrawal process is not an exit strategy but rather a transition strategy.
Holbrooke said the demand by the Taleban that President Hamid Karzai step aside is unacceptable. The US and other countries, including Pakistan, support Karzai and the Taleban will have to live with this reality.
He told a questioner that Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to cooperate to resolve the issue of terrorism.
Holbrooke said he was personally aware of the enormous sacrifices made Pakistan's Army in the war against terror and in difficult terrains in Waziristan, Swat, FATA, Dir and Buner.
Holbrooke said the United States has so far provided about $500 million worth of assistance in the aftermath of the recent devastating floods.
