US Wants Pakistan to Help Reduce Violence in Afghanistan


U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice told Pakistan’s civil and military leadership Sunday that terrorist and militant attacks in Afghanistan have become “a key point of regional friction,” according to a senior U.S. official who briefed the media in Islamabad.

“Addressing this challenge,” Rice told Pakistan, “will be imperative for Pakistan's relations with its neighbors and with Washington, especially given the recent upsurge in violence in Kabul and the Taliban's bloody campaign this fighting season in Afghanistan.”  
 
Calling the attacks “absolutely unacceptable,” the official added that the U.S. believes they were “perpetrated by the Haqqani Network” one of the deadliest militant groups of the Afghan Taliban. The network’s senior leadership is believed to be hiding in Pakistan. Afghanistan has often accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to militants who carry out attacks inside Afghanistan.
 
Rice also discussed with the Pakistani leadership “specific measures” that Pakistan can take to help reduce violence in Afghanistan.
 
A senior Pakistani security official told VOA “the discussions were frank and candid.”
 
“We told them that peace and stability in Afghanistan was the responsibility of all sides and stake holders,” the Pakistani official said. “They talked about the Haqqani network and we shared our concerns.”
 
In their discussions with Rice, Pakistani officials blamed Kabul for the lack of progress in peace and reconciliation with the Taliban, according to the Pakistani official.
 
He also said Rice “appreciated Pakistan’s military operation in North Waziristan and acknowledged its impact.”


SOURCE: VOA News