The United States has been “very clear-eyed” in its interactions with Pakistan on the activities of v terror groups based inside the country, says the US State Department.
At a briefing in Islamabad on Tuesday, Spokesman Mark Toner refused to acknowledge that the United States no longer trusted Pakistan as an ally, but minced no words in conveying US concerns on the alleged presence of certain ‘terrorist’ groups in the country.
“We have been very clear-eyed and very clear in our interaction with Pakistan where we’ve believed that they need to do more to root out terrorists, who find safe haven on some of their territory, and we’re going to continue to do that,” he said. “I’ll leave it there,” he added.
A journalist pointed out that the United States did not warn Pakistan before targeting Taliban leader Mullah Mansour in the Pakistani territory, which indicated an obvious lack of trust.
“I think what I said just now holds, which is that operational security trumps a need to inform other governments,” said Mr Toner.
“In any of these instances, it’s absolutely vital to keep operational security,” he added.
The spokesman said the United States had also “consistently expressed our concern to the highest levels of the government of Pakistan” about their continued tolerance for Afghan Taliban groups, including the Haqqani network.
“We’re going to continue to work with the Pakistani authorities and a full-faith effort both to give them the tools they need and the capabilities they need to confront this threat,” he said.
“And we’re going to also continue to, as we share intelligence and other information with them, to point out we believe that terrorists are finding safe haven.”
Mr Toner noted that the Haqqani network was an integral part of Taliban operations and among its most deadly elements.
