By NNN-APP,
New York : Recognizing Pakistan’s firm commitment to fight terrorism, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said the United States will work cooperatively with the elected government in its anti-terrorism struggle.
The top U.S. diplomat, who met President Asif Ali Zardari on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, said the Pakistani leadership has a strong resolve to curb violent extremism.
“We are going to work very closely with this democratically elected Government of Pakistan. It is something that we have advocated and worked for, which was to see democratic elections in Pakistan,” Rice stated.
On her meeting with President Zardari, she said they talked much about the need to help Pakistan with its social progress and with its economy. “I think that there is a very strong view that this is a problem that has got to be dealt with,” she told reporters at a press stakeout before meeting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
Asked about prospects of improved fight against terrorists, Secretary Rice responded: “I had a very strong sense that President Zardari is committed to the fight against the militants. He, of course, lost his wife and Pakistan lost a great leader in Benazir Bhutto. We talked about how we might assist Pakistan in doing what it needs to do. But I think there is a very strong commitment. And after all, it the same enemy.”
In the context of economic assistance for Pakistan, she cited Friends of Pakistan initiative and said the forum is being formed to demonstrate the breadth of the international support for Pakistan.
“These are all countries that have longstanding relationships with Pakistan, that have very deep relationships with Pakistan, and so it really is an effort to show the commitment of the international community.”