The US cannot achieving its goal of defeating al Qaeda without Pakistan's support, a top American General said today, noting that Islamabad's co-operation on counter-terrorism has not been on the expected lines.
"Our strategic interests and national security goals remain to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaeda and to prevent the return of safe havens in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
This would not be possible without Pakistan's support," General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a written answers to the questions by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"We also have an interest in a stable Pakistan and the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. On the security front, we have a more limited relationship than in the past, but I believe it is a pragmatic and constructive approach," said Dempsey, who has been re-nominated by US President Barack Obama for the same post.
"Pakistan's cooperation on counter-terrorism has not always met our expectations. Since 2009, Pakistan has undertaken counterinsurgency operations against extremist organisation in the northwest, including Swat, North and South Waziristan, Mohmand, and Bajaur with mixed results," he said when asked about the co-operation being received by Pakistan on counter-terrorism issues.
"Security assistance, Coalition Support Fund reimbursements, and cross-border coordination with ISAF and Afghan forces have helped enable these operations. It is in our interest that Pakistan continues this campaign as effectively and comprehensively as possible," he said.
